New in Norway - 2013

2013
New in Norway
Practical information from public agencies
new edition 2013
Welcome to New in Norway

How to use this booklet?
If you have recently arrived in Norway, you

may find it difficult to track down important
information about Norwegian society. New in
Norway has gathered information from public
agencies that you may find useful in your new
life. You will be able to familiarise yourself
with your rights and duties, and you will be
given practical advice and tips.
New in Norway has been prepared for labour immigrants. However,
the information may be useful to other groups as well. NonNorwegian spouses, employers with foreign employees and anyone
in contact with immigrants will find useful information here.
Do you have any questions about
This booklet contains the information
The booklet is divided into seven
residence, work, school, health or
you need to answer these questions.
chapters, which makes it easier for you
recreational activities in Norway?
to find the information you need.
New in Norway is divided into the following seven chapters:

Moving to Norway
Work
Children and schools
Health
Recreational activities
Transport and services
Useful information
Each section has several topics that make it easy for you to find the
information you are looking for. The information is presented in the
form of brief facts and illustrations. If you want to know more about
any of the topics or whom to contact for help, use the internet
addresses or phone numbers that are included under each topic.
Important deadlines, dates and phone numbers are gathered at the
end of the booklet.
Most chapters are accompanied by
Wherever possible, you will also find
We hope that you find all the information
internet links that provide further
telephone numbers that you can call for
you need. Good luck!
information about the topic you are
more information, or to receive answers
interested in.
to your questions.
The information in New in Norway is up-to-date as of 15 November

2012. At www.nyinorge.no, or on the agencys website, you will
always find updated information.
If you have any comments or suggestions for changes that should be

included in the next issue, please send an e-mail to post@imdi.no.
New in Norway contains information from the Directorate of Labour
and Welfare, the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and
Family Affairs, the Directorate for the Labour Inspection Authority, the
Agency for Public Management and eGovernment, the Directorate
for Nature Management, the Directorate for Civil Protection and
Emergency Planning, the Norwegian United Federation of Trade
Unions, the Consumer Council, the Norwegian Association of Local
and Regional Authorities (KS), the Directorate of Health, the Housing
Bank, the National Police Directorate, the Directorate of Taxes, the
Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Directorate of Customs
and Excise, the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training,
the Directorate of Immigration and The Norwegian Directorate
of Integration and Diversity. Information about Norwegian history
and work culture is provided by Oslo Chamber of Commerce,
International Network of Norway (INN) and Kulturtolk.
The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) is
responsible for editing, organizing, publishing and distribution.
IMDi wishes to thank all the contributors for gathering and making
important information available.
Welcome to Norway!
Geir Barvik
Director General,
The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity, (IMDi)
Design: Drivkraft AS Photo: photos.com/thinkstockphotos.com/shutterstock.com Print: Wittusen & Jensen Edition: 25 000 ISBN: 978-82-8246-112-2
www.nyinorge.no. The information in New in Norway is up-to-date as of 15 November 2012. We disclaim any responsibility for any printing errors or errors
in translation from Norwegian.
Note!
For important deadlines,

dates and telephone numbers
see end of the booklet.
This section contains information

about what the National Insurance
scheme is, how the Norwegian public
health service is organised, the rules
that apply to the different health
services in Norway, and what you
should do if you are ill and unable to
work. Among other things, this section
will answer the following questions:
What is the National Insurance
scheme?............................................................. 64
How are the public health services
organised? ...................................................... 64
When do I become a member of the
National Insurance scheme?.................. 64
Do I have to pay when I see
a primary doctor?......................................... 65
What kind of care will I receive if
I am pregnant?............................................... 66
What is the primary doctor
scheme?............................................................. 66
When should I contact my primary
doctor, and when should I use the
accident and emergency
department?.................................................... 68
When can I receive treatment
in a hospital?................................................... 68
Is hospital admission free?..................... 68
What kind of treatment can I receive
from the public dental service?........... 69
How can I get treatment from
a physiotherapist?....................................... 69
When do I need a European health
insurance card?.............................................. 69
What should I do if I am unable
to work due to illness?.............................. 71

about cultural facilities and
recreational activities, voluntary
groups and organisations, and the
rules that apply to hunting and fishing
and outdoor pursuits/rights of way in
the countryside. Among other things,
this section will answer the following
questions:
What role do voluntary groups and
organisations have in Norwegian
society?.............................................................. 74
How can I or my children join a club
or an organization? .................................... 75
What is the public right of way?.......... 77
Where is it free to fish and where
do I have to pay?........................................... 78
What do I need to remember
when I am in a boat?.................................. 79
Can I go hunting in Norway?.................. 80
What do I need to remember
when walking/skiing in the
mountains? ..................................................... 81
What kind of financial benefits am

I entitled to after I have had
children?............................................................ 52
Am I entitled to family allowance
even if my children live in their
home country?............................................... 53
Who do I contact to get a place at
a pre-school day care center for my
child?................................................................... 53
How long must my child stay in
Norway to be entitled and obliged
to go to school?............................................. 56
When does my child start school?..... 56
Is education free in Norway?................. 56
Is my child entitled to school
transport?.......................................................... 58
Am I entitled to financial support
if I wish to study in Noway?................... 59
In what way can the child welfare
services help me?......................................... 60
Where can I get help if I am the victim
of violence, abuse or threats?............... 61
Health

about the Norwegian school system.
In addition, it provides information
about benefits you are entitled to
as a parent, and who to contact for
advice or help regarding difficult
family issues. Among other things,
this section will answer the following
questions:
What should my employment

contract include? ........................................ 32
How are working hours regulated?.... 32
How is pay regulated?............................... 33
Am I entitled to holidays
and holiday pay?.......................................... 34
Can I be granted leave
from work?....................................................... 35
What rules apply to temporary
lay-offs and dismissals?............................ 37
How is the tax system
structured?....................................................... 42
Where do I get a tax
deduction card?............................................ 42
What are the advantages of union
membership?.................................................. 45
How can I get recognition for
education taken abroad?......................... 47
Am I entitled to unemployment
benefit if I become unemployed?...... 47
Where can I find information about
starting my own business? .................... 49
Do I need a residence permit

or should I make a registration?........ 8, 11
How can I arrange for my family
to come to Norway? ............................... 9, 13
Do I need to be registered in the
population register? .....................................18
What is a D-number?.....................................18
What can I bring with me without
paying tax when I move to Norway?....20
How can I find a place to live?.................20
What are my rights as a tenant?.............21
How can I get financing to buy
a house or an apartment?...........................24
Am I entitled to use an interpreter
in contact with public agencies?............28
Am I entitled to tuition in the
Norwegian language? ..................................29

about your rights and duties as an
employee. It provides information
about what your employment contract
should include, how to pay taxes,
and whether your education can be
recognised. Among other things, this
section will answer the following
questions:
Useful information

about permits, registration and how
you can find a place to live. It provides
information about your rights to get
Norwegian language courses and
interpreting services. Among other
things, this section will answer the
following questions:
Work
Moving to Norway
Contents
about regulations and legislation
relating to the use of a foreign drivers
licence and a foreign-registered car.
You will learn about driving and owning
a car and how public transport is
organised. Several financial and communication services are also described.
Among other things, this section will
answer the following questions:
Can I use my driving licence
in Norway? ..........................................................84
How long can I drive a foreignregistered car?....................................................84
How do I register my car
in Norway?............................................................86
What traffic and parking rules apply
in Norway?............................................................92
How do I open a bank account?.............100
What kind of insurance do I need
during my stay in Norway?.........................104
What do I need to think about when
purchasing telephone and internet
services?................................................................107
Do I have to pay a television
licence?...................................................................108
What services does Norway Post
provide?..................................................................108
How do I use online public
services?................................................................109
This section contains facts about

Norway and how the Norwegian court
system is organised. You will also
learn about what the different public
agencies are responsible for and where
you can find contact information for
the agencies so that you can get in
touch with them if you have a question.
Permits
Differences between
eea nationals and
nationals of the other
countries......................8
Residence permit
pursuant to the
general regulations.....8
- Renewal of residence
permits........................... 8
- Loss of permits and
expulsion....................... 9
Permanent residence
permit..........................9
Family immigration
permit pursuant to the
general regulations.....9
- Which family
members can be
granted family
immigration?................. 9
- Subsistence and
housing
requirements..............10
- Other conditions and
application
procedures...................10
- Reneval of residence
permits..........................10
- Right and duties
associated with family
immigration.................11
Right of residence
pursuant to the eea
regulations.................11
- Laps of right
of residence.................12
- Expulsion.....................12
Permanent right
of residence...............12
Family immigration
permit pursuant to the
eea regulations..........13
Residence cards.........13
Checklist for foreign
workers in Norway....14
Things to remember
after you move to
Norway.......................16
Registration
on arrival
Registration in the
population
register.................... 18
- Registration in
connection with
moving.......................18
- D-number..................18
- Personal identity
number......................18
Personal
belongings.............. 20
Housing
Finding a home....... 20
Renting a home....... 21
- Your rights
as a tenant.............. 21
- Lease........................ 21
- Home contents
insurance................ 22
- Deposit.................... 22
- Housing
allowance................ 22
- Terminating
the tenancy............ 23
Owning a home....... 23
- First-time buyer
mortgage................. 24
- Start loan from your
municipality........... 24
- Basic loan from
the Norwegian State
Housing Bank......... 24
- Housing
allowance............... 24
- Housing grants....... 24
- Home insurance..... 25
- Home contentens
insurance................ 25
Interpreters
Interpreters............ 28
Norwegian
language courses
Norwegian language
courses................... 29
Moving to Norway
Waste and recycling

collection................ 25
Fire safety in the
home...................... 25
- Smoke detectors.... 25
- Fire extinguishers
are mandatory....... 26
- Fire drills at home.26
- Check the
electrical system... 27
This section contains information about permits, registration

and how you can find a place to live. It provides information
about your rights to get Norwegian language courses and
interpreting services.
Permits
Residence permit pursuant to the general regulations
Different conditions and application
A residence permit pursuant to the gene-
Renewal of residence permits
When you have lived in Norway continu-
It is not a requirement that you have had
If you have close family members who live
procedures for resident permits and
ral regulations entitles the holder to live
Most of residence permits are renewable.
ously for three years, you can be granted
residence on the same grounds for the
abroad, they can apply to come and live
family immigration apply to EU/EEA/EFT
and work in Norway. All foreign nationals
Renewal applications must be submitted
a permanent residence permit. A perma-
whole three-year period, but all the per-
with you during your stay in Norway. This
A nationals, so-called EEA nationals, and
can apply for a residence permit pursuant
to the police at least one month before
nent residence permit entitles you to stay
mits you have held must be of a type that
is called family immigration. As a rule,
nationals of other countries, so-called
to these regulations.
your current permit expires. Contact
and work in Norway indefinitely. Once
forms the basis for permanent residence.
you cannot apply on behalf of your family
the police in your municipality for further
you have been granted a permanent
information.
residence permit, you will not lose it if the
A good conduct requirement also applies.
third-country nationals.
There are many types of work permits,
Family immigration permit

pursuant to the general regulations
Differences between EEA nationals

and nationals of the other countries
Permanent residence permit
members.
All permits that entitle the holder to stay
and different rules, guidelines and ap-
conditions for the original permit cease
A conviction for a criminal offence means
Which family members can be
and work in Norway are called residence
plication procedures apply. A complete
Loss of permits and expulsion
to apply, for example if you are no longer
that an additional period of residence will
granted family immigration?
permits. Depending on what country you
overview of residence permits and
You may loose your permit if you have
in employment.
be required before a permanent residence
Some members of your family are entitled
are from, you can be granted a residence
information about the different
given incorrect information to the authori-
permit can be granted.
to a family immigration permit if all the
permit/right of residence pursuant to one
permits, conditions and application
ties. If you lose your permit, you must
It is a condition that you have completed
of the following two regulations: the gene-
procedures is available at www.udi.no.
leave the country. You may be expelled
the mandatory tuition in the Norwegian
If you are uncertain about whether or not
family members can also be granted
if you violate the provisions of the
language required by the Introduction
the permits you hold and have held form
family immigration if certain conditions
Immigration Act or if you are convicted of
Act, or that you document that the
the basis for permanent residence, this
are met. The Directorate of Immigration
The general regulations
a criminal offence. If you are expelled, you
municipality has made a decision
can be checked by reading the previous
(UDI) will also consider whether there are
Apply to all foreign nationals. Nationals
are not permitted to return to Norway for
exempting you from such tuition in
decisions you have received.
strong humanitarian grounds for granting
of EU/EEA/EFTA countries can choose
the duration of the expulsion period. The
Norwegian.
whether they want to apply for a resi-
prohibition on entry also usually applies to
dence permit pursuant to these regula-
the rest of the Schengen area.
ral regulations or the EEA Regulations.
tions or to the EEA regulations.
conditions for a permit are met. Other
the application for family immigration.

More information about permanent
The requirement for Norwegian language
residence permit is available at
skills applies to everyone between the
www.udi.no.
ages of 16 and 55 who were granted

The EEA Regulations
their first residence permit forming the
Only apply to nationals of EU/EEA/EFTA
basis for a permanent residence permit
states.
after 1 September 2005.
Permits
Right of residence pursuant
to the EEA regulations
10
Those family members entitled to resi-
In addition, parents may visit their child-
Other conditions and
police where you live. The police renew
Contact the Directorate of Immigration
If you are an EEA national and have a
dence permits when all conditions for
ren (regardless of the childrens age) in
application procedures
most types of permits. If the police are in
(UDI) about any changes in your cir-
valid identity card or passport, you have
a permit are met are:
Norway for up to nine months, either
Additional requirements will often apply
doubt as to whether your application can
cumstances that are relevant to your
right of residence for three months in
A spouse or registered partner over
together or separately. It is a requirement
before a permit can be granted.
be granted, they will forward it to the UDI
residence permit. The UDI can also assist
Norway. The same applies to members
the age of 18, when the couple plans
that the parents return to their home
for processing.
you with questions concerning the rights
of your family who are also EEA nationals.
to live together in Norway.
country after the permit has expired. The
Renewal of residence permits
and duties associated with your permit,
Family members who are not EEA nation-
Cohabitants over the age of 18, when
permit does not entitle the holder to work
You should apply for renewal at least one
More information about family
or the possibility of permanent residence
als must have a valid passport and be
the couple has lived together for at
in Norway. Parents can travel into and
month before your permit expires. You
immigration and application proce-
or Norwegian citizenship.
able to document that they are members
least two years and intends to cont-
out of Norway for as long as the permit
will then retain the same rights as before
dures is available at www.udi.no.
inue their cohabitation.
is valid. The permit cannot be renewed,
relating to work, studies etc. while you are
A cohabitant over the age of 18
but parents can be granted a new nine-
waiting for us to process your application,
Rights and duties associated
ties, the Directorate of Integration and
who has children with the person in
month permit when they have stayed
even if your permit expires before you
with family immigration
Diversity (IMDi) and the municipality in
If you are an EEA national who wishes
Norway, and the couple intend to
outside Norway for at least one year.
receive our answer.
Among other things, family immigration
which you live have an overview of your
to work in Norway for more than three
permits for adults confer a right to work
rights and duties regarding tax matters,
months, you must have a job (basis for
If you fail to apply for renewal within the
in Norway, to leave and enter Norway
health, language tuition, and of schools
residence).
and kindergartens where you live.
continue their cohabitation.

Children when both parents have been
Subsistence and housing
of your household or that they are supThe tax authorities, the health authori-
ported by you.
or will be granted residence permits
requirements
deadline, you will not automatically be
freely, the possibility of renewal and the
in Norway.
In order for your family to be granted
entitled to stay in Norway. If you apply for
possibility of being granted a permit on
Nationals of EU/EEA/EFTA countries do

not need to apply for a residence permit
Children who only have one parent
family immigration permits, it is a require-
renewal after your permit has expired, a
independent grounds. The permit also
resident in Norway. It is a require-
ment that the person living in Norway
situation can arise where you do not have
forms the basis for permanent residence
but can register online (selfservice.
in Norway.
udi.no). Once you have registered online,
ment that the parent living in Norway
can guarantee subsistence for the family
legal residence while we process your ap-
has sole parental responsibility or,
members applying for family immigra-
plication. Applying too late may also mean
you must go to your nearest police sta-
if parental responsibility is shared,
tion. In the case of some types of family
that your residence will not be regarded
tion. If you live in a district with a Service
that the other parent gives his or
members, it is also a requirement that
as continuous, which means that you may
Center for Foreign Workers you need
her consent.
the family living in Norway can guarantee
have to wait longer before you can be
to meet in person there. You must take
accommodation.
granted a permanent residence permit.
along a valid identity card or a pass-
Submit your renewal application to the
port and proof of employment that is in

accordance with the provisions of the
Working Environment Act.
11
Permits
pursuant to the EEA regulations
Residence cards
Once you have registered, you will be
Population Register. An EEA national will
If, as an EU/EEA/EFTA national, you have
As EU/EEA/EFTA nationals with right
From 2012, everyone who holds
The card is valid for the same period as
issued a registration certificate. This
have to register again in the event of a
had continuous legal residence in Norway
of residence in Norway pursuant to
a residence permit in Norway and who
your residence permit. If you hold a per-
certificate is issued free of charge and is
new stay in Norway.
for at least five years, you can apply
the EEA Regulations, your family
is from a country outside the EU/EEA
manent residence permit, the card is valid

for two years.
valid indefinitely (i.e. you do not need to

renew it).
12
Permanent right of residence
for a permanent residence certificate
members are entitled to come to
can be issued a residence card. EU/
Right of residence will nonetheless
that applies indefinitely. In some cases,
Norway to live with you. There are
EEA nationals are not issued such cards.
be retained if the absence is for valid
employees or self-employed persons can
two different schemes that your family
Family members of EEA nationals who
Among other things, the card contains
The registration certificate is only valid
reasons. In the case of pregnancy, birth,
be granted permanent right of residence
members can use to be granted family
are not EEA nationals themselves will be
your photograph, signature and finger-
as long as the conditions are met, i.e. as
serious illness, education or vocational
after a shorter period of residence in
immigration permits.
issued a residence card.
prints. The fingerprints are not stored
long as you meet the conditions for one
training and secondment to another
Norway.
of the grounds for residence, for exam-
country, a continuous period of absence
Which scheme they fall under depends
The card, which is about the same
ple as an employee or student. You can
of maximum 12 months is accepted. The
Members of your family who have had
on which citizenship your family mem-
size as a credit card, replaces the previ-
change your grounds for residence, for
serving of military or civil national service
continuous legal residence in Norway for
bers hold. If they are also EU/EEA/
ous system of stickers in passports or
You must present the card in the event of
example from being an employee to be-
is not deemed to interrupt the period of
five years may also apply for a permanent
EFTA nationals, they are covered by the
travel documents. The residence card
a control. If you do not have it with you,
coming self-employed. You do not have
residence.
residence certificate regardless of their
registration system for EEA nationals and
is proof that you hold a residence permit
you may be asked to get it.
nationality. It is required that you have
will be issued registration certificates. If
in Norway.
to report this.
anywhere else other than on the card

itself.
Expulsion
lived together in Norway during those five
they are not EU/EEA/EFTA nationals, they
If you have had continuous legal resi-
If you are an EEA national, you have ex-
years.
must apply for residence cards as family
Unless otherwise stated on the card,
valid until its expiry date, and you do not
dence in Norway for at least five years,
tended protection against expulsion. You
members of an EEA national.
it also proves that you are entitled to
need to obtain a residence card as long
you can apply for a document certifying
can nonetheless be expelled if the au-
Read more about permanent right of
travel freely in the Schengen area.
as it is valid. If you renew your permit, you
permanent legal residence.
thorities deem you to be a potential and
residence at www.udi.no.
will be issued a residence card.
The sticker on your travel document is
More information about family immi-
You should therefore take the card with
serious threat to public order and safety.
gration pursuant to the EEA regula-
you when you travel abroad, although
Lapse of right of residence
If you are an EEA national, you will only
tions is available at www.udi.no.
you must still always have your passport
Read more about residence cards at
If you stay outside Norway for more than
be expelled from Norway and you will not
with you.
www.udi.no.
six months during a calendar year, the
be registered in the Schengen Information
grounds for residence will lapse. Changes
System (SIS).
of address must be reported to the

Read more at www.udi.no.
13
Checklist for foreigner workers in Norway

THE GENERAL REGULATIONS
Workers from countries outside the EEA

If you come from a country outside the EEA,
the general regulations apply. You have to
apply for a residence permit if you want to live
AFTER
3 YEARS OF
RESIDENCE
national, called EEA regulations. If you have a valid

identity card or passport, you have right of residence for three months in Norway (page 11) and
lived in Norway continuously for three years,
the right to work. The same applies to members
permit (page 9). Remember the requirement

for Norwegian language skills when you apply
for a permanent residence permit (page 29).
Your family members can apply for family immigration permit to come and live with you during
your stay in Norway (page 9).
of your family who are also EEA nationals.
1. Employment contract
(page 32)
If you wish to work in Norway for more than three
2. Residence permit
(page 8)
months, you must have a job. You do not have
3. D-number
(page 18)
(page 32)
to apply for a residence permit but must register
4. Tax deduction
card (page 42)
2. Residence permit
(page 8)
in person at your nearest police station. Remember
3. Personal identity
number (page 18)
4. Tax deduction
card (page 42)
THE EEA REGULATIONS
Special rules applies for you if you are an EEA
and work in Norway (page 8). When you have

you can be granted a permanent residence
14
RESIDENCE
FOR MORE
THAN
6 MONTHS
RESIDENCE
FOR UP TO
6 MONTHS
Workers from EEA countries
online (selfservice.udi.no) and subsequently meet
RESIDENCE
FOR UP TO
3 MONTHS
AFTER
5 YEARS OF
RESIDENCE
(page 32)
15
2. D-number
(page 18)
3. Tax deduction card
(page 42)
(page 32)
to take with you required documentation (page 11).

You can apply for
permanent residence
in Norway (page 9)
RESIDENCE
FOR MORE
THAN
6 MONTHS
RESIDENCE
FOR UP TO
6 MONTHS
If the conditions for registration are met, you will be

issued a registration certificate. This certificate is
issued free of charge and is valid indefinitely (does
not need to be renewed). However, you can apply
for a permanent right of residence after five years
2. Registration certificate
(page 11)
3. D-number
(page 18)
4. Tax deduction
card (page 42)
(page 32)
(page 12).
(page 11)
Your family members are entitled to come to
3. Personal identity
number (page 18)
Norway to live with you. If they are also EEA nationals, they are covered by the registration system for
EEA nationals and will be issued registration certificates. If they are not EEA nationals, they must apply
for residence cards (page 13).
EEA countries - all EU member states and Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland.
4. Tax deduction card

(page 42)
You can apply for
permanent right of
residence in Norway
(page 12)
Things to remember after you move to Norway

registration
Housing
Register/send your application online
Contact your municipality to
health
bank
Pregnancy check-ups are exempt
All municipalities have public libraries
Remember to open a bank account

and book your appointment at the
Remember to sign a lease (page 21).

Check if house or apartment you
check how to apply for a place
from patient charges (page 66).
(page 77).
Police station or at the Service
lease is approved and protected
at a pre-school day care center
Dental services are not free of charge
Centers to get:
against fire (page 25).
(page 53).
for adults (page 69).
information about cultural facilities
registration certificate if you are
and recreational activities for you
and your family (page 76).
EEA national (page 11)
16
residence permit if you are non
EEA national (page 8).
Apply for tax deduction card at one
Protect your belongings, buy home
contents insurance (page 106).
If you own a house, buy also home
insurance (page 105).
Contact your municipality to check

which school you child will attend
of children under the age of 16
and when he/she can start start to
are exempt from patient charges
Mark your letter box with your
go to school (page 56).
(page 65). Children under the age
full name (page 108).
of 18 are entitled to free dental care
about transportation in your area
(side 96).
Services and check if you can use
Before you take out a subscription
your vehicle in Norway (page 84).
for a mobile phone, fixed-line phone,
If you child does not understand
of the listed on page 42 tax office

or the Service Centers.
to Norway if you intend to stay in
If you wish to participate in the
Norway for more than 6 months
Norwegian language tuition
(page 18).
contact the municipality where you
live for information about the tuition
Choose your primary doctor. After
it offers. Remember the tuition is not
you are registed as residing in
free (page 29).
Norway, you will get a letter from you
community with the list of primary
doctors (page 66).
available, but most of them are
prescription drugs sold at pharmacies
(page 68).
work
Remember to ask for a written

employment contract, keep your
copy (page 32).
are many membership benefits
(page 44).
Concider joining trade unions, there
Transport and
communication
Register in connection with moving
(page 100).
Norwegian language
tuition for adults
Examinations and treatment
Contact your municipality for
Motor vehicle
Get a map of the area and find out
Norwegian, ask for possibility
from the public dental services.
for special language tuition (page 58).
(page 69).
EEA or Switzerland? Remember
to order European health insurance
Contact the Norwegian Public Roads
or broadband, you should check the
cards for you and your family when
Administration to check how long you
prices, terms and conditions and
you go to one of the EEA-countries
can use your foreign
different providers (page 107).
(page 69).
driving licence applies only for non
EEA nationals (page 84).
health
Only some medicines are freely
Have you moved to Norway from
Contact The Norwegian Customs

17
Registration on arrival
Registration in the population register
18
Registration in connection with
Nordic nationals
Nationals from outside the EEA area
Documentation that is required when
When moving together with children
Tax Norway South:
moving
A passport or a valid driving licence
A passport
notifying a move to Norway (stays over
under the age of 18
Drammen, Kristiansand, Skien, Tnsberg,
Everyone who moves to Norway from
together with a transcript from the
Applicants should bring an employ-
six months):
- for Nordic nationals with children
Gol, Lyngdal and Arendal
another country, between two Norwegian
population register in the applicants
ment contract, a written offer of
municipalities, or to another place in the
home country. The transcript must not
employment or documentation
A passport or other approved ID for
parents have not signed the notifica-
Tax Norway West:
same municipality, is obliged to notify
be older than three months.
of a Norwegian-registered business.
Nordic or EEA nationals
tion of the move, the person in
Frde, Sogndal, Bergen, Haugesund,
the population register within eight days.
Documented grounds for residence,
question must bring along
Egersund, Stavanger, Nordfjordeid and
The population register is part of the tax
Anyone who wishes to notify a move to
such as:
a declaration of consent from
Odda
office. When you move to Norway, you
employment or documentation of
Norway and anyone who wishes to get
- a residence permit for six months
the parent not present or documenta-
must go to the tax office.
a Norwegian-registered business.
a D-number must go in person to one
or more
tion of parental responsibility from his/
Tax Norway Central Norway:
of the tax offices listed under information
- a registration certificate for EEA
her home country
Trondheim, lesund, Kristiansund,
about Personal identity number.
nationals
- in certain cases, an approved
Namsos, Steinkjer, Molde and Hitra
Documentation of the period
marriage certificate/birth certificate

must be brought along.
under the age of 18: if both
D-number
EEA nationals
If you come to Norway to work, you must
A passport or approved ID card.
apply for a tax deduction card. If you are
Personal identity number
of residence, such as:
staying in Norway for up to six months,
As a rule, personal identity numbers are
- an employment contract / written
you will be given a D-number.
employment or documentation of
given to persons who are born in Norway
offer of employment for more than six
Everyone who wishes to notify
Harstad, Bod, Mo i Rana, Brnnysund,
a Norwegian-registered business.
or who are registered as settled here.
months (in the case of assignments
a move to Norway and everyone who
Svolvr, Vads, Sortland and Narvik
If you are applying for a tax deduc-
Tax Norway North:

Kirkenes, Hammerfest, Alta, Troms,
A personal identity number may also be
for staffing enterprises you must have
wishes to get a D-number must go
tion card you must have the following
Employers have an independent
given to Norwegian nationals who live in
a confirmation of an assignment last-
in person to one of the following tax
Further information about registration
documentation:
responsibility for ensuring that all their
another country when it is a condition for
ing for six months or more)
offices:
in connection with moving, D-number
employees are entitled to work in Norway.
them being issued a Norwegian passport.
- a contract for the lease/purchase
Any questions must be addressed to the
Foreign workers who come to Norway
of a house/apartment
immigration authorities.
must go in person to a tax office to apply
Oslo, Sandvika, Lillestrm, Gjvik,
for personal identity number.
Fredrikstad, Hamar and Tynset
and personal identity number is availTax Norway East:
able at www.taxnorway.no.
19
Housing
Personal belongings
When you move to Norway, you must
Special rules apply to the importation of
complete a declaration for the impor-
private boats to Norway. Please contact
tation of household goods (RD0030).
the Norwegian Customs Service for
You should also draw up a list of the
further details.
objects you are bringing with you, stating
20
whether they are new or used. This list
To bring certain goods into Norway,
makes customs clearance easier. You
you must pay customs and excise duties
must contact the Norwegian Customs
or have a special permit.
Service when your household goods

arrive in Norway. If you arrive before your
This applies to:
household goods, you must contact the
Work-related equipment
Norwegian Customs Service on your
Motor vehicles
arrival.
Aircraft
New items
You may import household objects free
Food products
of customs and excise duties if certain
Alcohol and tobacco products
conditions are met. Among other things,
Weapons
you must have lived abroad continuously
Plants
for at least a year, and you must have
Animals
owned or possessed the objects abroad
Radio and television equipment
and used them during your stay abroad.

It is also a condition that you will continue
More information about customs and
to use them in Norway.
excise regulation in relation to the
Finding a home
Renting a home
Houses/apartments for rent are often

advertised in the local newspaper.
In addition, there are several websites where you can find rented
accommodation.
Renting a house/apartment does not

require capital other than for the deposit.
If you do not have money for the deposit,
you should contact your municipality.
Some municipalities can offer to lend you
the deposit, while others can furnish a
guarantee that some landlords will accept
as an alternative to a deposit. If the
municipality cannot offer you a loan for
the deposit, the alternative is to take up
a loan for the deposit in a private bank.
Some estate agents offer houses/apartments for rent. There are also agents who
deal exclusively in rented accommodation. Remember that you must sign
a lease with the landlord the agents are
not responsible for the property itself.
Some municipalities can assist you in
your search for rented accommodation,
but council houses are generally reserved
for those who are not able to get accommodation on their own.
Buying and selling property is usually
handled by an estate agent. The agents
advertise houses/apartments for sale
in the local newspaper and on various
websites.
importation of household goods is

available at www.toll.no.
On the State Housing Banks website,

you will find an online information
module in ten different languages
about living in Norway. Go to
www.husbanken.no.
Your rights as a tenant

Your most important rights as a tenant
are stipulated in the lease and in the
Tenancy Act. The Tenancy Act includes
a prohibition against discrimination in tenancy situations. The parties (the landlord
and the tenant) are free to decide the
amount of rent to be paid at the time the
lease is signed. However, once the lease
has been signed, the rent can only be
increased in step with the consumer price
index in the first three years. Index regulation can only take place after one year at
the earliest. The tenant is not obliged to
pay rent for more than one month in
advance. The rent must be a fixed

amount. In addition, it can be agreed
that electricity and heating will be paid
separately on the basis of consumption.
The same applies to consumption-based
water and sewage charges. Other additions are not permitted.
The tenant has a right to let his/her
immediate family move into the dwelling.
The landlord cannot enter the dwelling
without the tenants consent.
The Tenancy Act does not prohibit the
letting of a run-down property, but a
building that has not been approved for
human habitation, or that is considered
a health hazard, cannot be let. Incorrect
information about the dwelling given by
the landlord will be considered a breach
of contract (defect). Damage, faults or
other matters concerning the dwelling
that the tenant knew about before signing
the lease are not considered defects. The
landlord is obliged to repair any defects to
ensure that the condition of the dwelling is in accordance with the lease. If the
landlord does not repair the defects,

the tenant can demand a reduction in
rent or withhold the rent. If the defects
are substantial, the tenant can cancel the
lease. Always contact the landlord first
if you think there is a defect.
Lease
You can always demand a written lease
between landlord and tenant. The lease
should include: the parties names and
addresses, the property to be rented
and the amount of rent to be paid. If the
landlord demands a deposit, this must
be specified in the lease. The period of
notice is three months, unless otherwise
stated in the lease.
The property should be checked when
the lease is signed to make sure it corresponds to the description of the property
in the lease. Consider drawing up a list of
furniture etc. and its condition. Using
a standard contract is advisable.
A standard lease is available at
www.forburkerportalen.no
21
Housing
Owning a home
Home contents insurance
22
In order to insure the contents of your

apartment/house, you need home contents insurance. This insurance covers
damage to belongings in the event of
fire, water damage, burglary etc. As
for other types of insurance, the terms
and conditions decide what the home
contents insurance covers. You need
home contents insurance even if you
are renting accommodation.
Read more about home contents
insurance on page 106.
Further information about insurance
Deposit
A deposit is an amount that the tenant
pays as security for rent owed or
damage to the housing property. The
amount may not exceed six months
rent. The amount must be deposited in
a separate account, and neither of the
parties may withdraw the amount for the
duration of the tenancy. If the landlord
demands that the tenant deposit the
amount in the landlords private account,
or that the tenant deposit the amount in
Housing allowance
Housing allowance is a governmentfinanced support scheme for people at
a disadvantage in the housing market.
The purpose of the scheme is to help
households with low incomes and high
housing expenses to obtain housing or
retain their current housing. The scheme
is government-financed and managed by
the Norwegian Housing Bank and local
municipalities.
cash, the tenant can always refuse to do

so. Any fee payable to the bank for opening a separate account is to be paid by
the landlord.
Poor finances do not automatically make

you eligible for a housing allowance. Only
applicants who satisfy all the requirements will receive a housing allowance.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is the 14th of each month. If your
application is successful, the allowance
will be paid on the 10th of the following
month.
products is available at www.finansportalen.no. It is an information service where users can compare bank
savings and insurance products.
When the tenancy expires, the landlord

usually gives his/her written consent to
the bank to pay the deposit to the tenant.
If not, the tenant must request in writing
that the bank pays him/her the deposit.
The bank shall notify the landlord in writing of the request, giving notice that the
amount will be paid to the tenant if the
landlord does not instigate legal proceedings (within five weeks after receiving
such notice).
Applications should be submitted

to the housing office in your local
municipality, or online via www.altinn.
no. For further information, contact
your local housing office.
Terminating the tenancy

A tenancy can be entered into for a
specified (non-terminable) period or an
unspecified (terminable) period.
A lease for a specified period expires
without notice at the agreed time. Out of
consideration for the tenant, the main rule
is that leases for specified periods cannot
be entered into for a period shorter than
three years. As a tenant, you are therefore
never bound by a lease for a specified
period that is valid for less than three
years. If the parties agree and it is not
otherwise specified in the lease, a lease
for a specified period can nevertheless
be terminated.
A lease for an unspecified period runs

until it is terminated by either party. If the
lease does not specify a period of notice,
the period of notice is three months. The
tenant can terminate the tenancy without
reason. The termination should be in writing. The landlord can terminate the tenancy if he/she has justifiable grounds for
doing so. Termination by the landlord must
be in writing. The tenant can object to the
termination, and the termination will lapse
if the landlord does not take the case to
the Conciliation Board/The Rent Disputes
Tribunal in Oslo, Akershus, Bergen and
Trondheim (HTU -Husleietvistutvalget).
If you want to buy a home, you must

obtain a mortgage approval from a bank
before you start looking at houses or
apartments. You can apply for a start
loan from your local municipality if you do
not have private capital or you are having
difficulty financing your home in a private
bank.
The purchase price of the house/apartment is determined through people
bidding for a property. Remember that
the deal is made when the seller accepts
your offer. You must therefore never make
an offer before you are certain that you
can finance the purchase.
Most banks offer mortgages if you want
to buy a house or an apartment. The
repayment period for a mortgage is long,
usually between 20 and 30 years. People
who do not own a home in Norway can
apply for a first-time buyer mortgage, i.e.
a mortgage with the same interest rate for
the entire amount where you can borrow
up to 100 per cent of the purchase price.
Contact your bank to find out how much
you can borrow and what interest rate the
23
REMEMBER
-Test the smoke detector

every month
- Replace the battery
in smoke detector once
a year
Housing
Fire safety in the home
bank offers. Bring your tax return and
pay slip to the bank to document your
income level.
At www.finansportalen.no, you can
ties have different policies and practices

when it comes to granting start loans. It is
up to the municipality to decide whether
someone should be granted a loan and
how much.
More information and application
Applications should be submitted to
ance. Read more on page 22.
find out which banks offer the lowest

interest rate.
24
forms for all schemes are available at

www.husbanken.no.
Housing allowance
You may be entitled to a housing allow-
the municipality that administers the

First-time buyer mortgage
People who do not own a home in
Norway can apply for a first-time buyer
mortgage from their bank, i.e. a mortgage
with the same interest rate for the entire
amount where you can borrow up to 100
per cent of the purchase price. If the bank
is not willing to lend you 100 per cent of
the purchase price, you can apply for a
start loan from your municipality.
Start loan from your
municipality
If you have difficulties getting a loan from
your bank to buy your own home, or you
need help to stay in your current home,
you can apply for a start loan. The loan
can be granted as bridge financing or
full financing for buying or renovating a
house, as re-financing to stay in your
current house, and as top-up financing to
build a new house. Different municipali-
scheme. Contact your municipality

for further information about how the
scheme is organised where you live.
Basic loan from the
Norwegian State Housing Bank
A basic loan can be granted from the
Norwegian State Housing Bank for the
building of a new home or for renovating and adapting an existing home. The
house must meet certain criteria relating
to universal design (accessibility) and
energy efficiency/the environment. If the
house satisfies the criteria, the Norwegian
Housing Bank can grant a loan of up to
80% of the costs or the purchase price
approved by the bank.
Applications should be submitted to the
Norwegian State Housing Bank, which
administers the scheme.
Housing grants
A housing grant is available for those
who are most disadvantaged in the
housing market. The household must
be experiencing long-term or permanent
financial difficulties, or the home must
be in need of special adaptation. Grants
can be given to buy a home, to renovate/
adapt ones own home and to re-finance
a mortgage to be able to stay in ones
current home.
Applications for housing grants
should be submitted to the municipality that administers the scheme.
Contact your local municipality for
further information and to find out
Home insurance
If you own your own home, you must
insure the building (home insurance).
You can take out joint home contents
and buildings insurance. If you own a
house or an apartment in a jointly-owned
property or a housing cooperative, the
building will as a rule be insured by the
cooperative/jointly-owned property. All
you need in such case is a home contents policy. Ask the board of the jointlyowned property or housing cooperative
about this.
Read more about home insurance on
page 105.
Home contentens insurance
apartment/house, you need home contents insurance. This insurance covers
damage to belongings in the event of fire,
water damage, burglary etc. As for other
types of insurance, the terms and conditions decide what the home contents
insurance covers.
whether the municipality offers grants.

Read more about home contents insurance on page 106.
Most of those who die in fires in their own
products is available at www.finans-
home die of smoke poisoning. The cor-
portalen.no. It is an information ser-
rect fire protection equipment reduces the
vice where users can compare bank
risk of injury or death in the event of fire.

Smoke detectors
Waste and recycling collection
Different municipalities have different
waste disposal schemes. Check with
your local municipality.
Smoke detectors save lives every year.

All homes must have at least one
approved smoke detector. If the house
or apartment is big or has several floors,
it should be fitted with several smoke
detectors. The location of the smoke
Many municipalities sort waste, which

means that waste such as paper and
food waste is sorted in separate bins.
Waste that cannot be sorted is residual
waste, which is put in a separate bin.
The different types of waste are collected
on different days of the week contact
the waste collection service in your
municipality.
detector is very important in relation to
Not all waste can be disposed of in the

waste bins where you live. Glass, metal
and hazardous waste are examples of
waste that must be taken to the municipalitys waste recycling centres. Electrical
and electronic equipment waste (EE
waste) can be returned to shops that sell
this type of equipment.
nected in series, so that they all go off
how quickly it detects smoke. The detectors should be placed near stairs and in
escape routes, at the highest point of the
ceiling and at least 50 centimetres from
walls (follow the installation instructions).
The smoke alarm must be clearly audible
in all bedrooms with the door closed.
The smoke detectors should be conat the same time.
25
Housing
The owner of the house is responsible for
If the situation permits, adults and older
Tips on how to avoid a fire in your
Check the electrical system
Landlords and tenants can carry
Other tips
fitting smoke detectors. The person using
children can try to put out the fire using a
home
Landlords and tenants are encouraged to
out a simple but important check
Electrical heaters must be directly
the house/apartment is responsible for
fire hose or portable extinguisher. Do not
Only use the cooker, washing machine
be alert and to check that the system is
themselves:
connected to the socket avoid the
testing the smoke detector (by pressing
expose yourself to great danger; smoke
and tumble-dryer when you are at
not overloaded, as it may cause a fire.
Ensure that all screw-in fuses are
use of extension cords
the test button) and changing batteries.
from a fire is very toxic.
home and awake. Make sure that they
tightened.
Keep an eye on movable heat sources
are turned off when not in use
It is the landlords responsibility to ensure
If the fuses are too hot to touch, they
and the distance to flammable mate
every month, and the batteries should be
The most important thing is to save lives
Turn off the TV by pressing the off-
that the electrical system is in accordance
are overloaded. The same applies if
rial. Check that electric heaters are not
changed once a year.
and call for help. Do not try to put out the
button on the appliance, not just
with the regulations and that it can take
the fuses blow often.
covered.
fire if the situation feels threatening. Leave
on the remote
the load it is subjected to. In cold weath-
Check for brown discolouring on
Movable heaters should only be used
Fire extinguishers
the building and call the fire service using
Check that there are no candles
er, we use more electricity for heating and
sockets, cords and connections this
under supervision.
are mandatory
the emergency telephone number 110. All
burning when you leave the room
the danger of overloading increases.
is a sign that they are damaged and
Ensure that electrical systems and
All homes must have a fire extin-
citizens have a duty to report fires (110).
Check that electric heaters are not
must be disconnected and replaced.
equipment are well maintained and in
guisher. This can be in the form either of
Always state the address where the
covered
Although the fuses are meant to protect
The smell of burnt material is also
accordance with regulations. Contact
a fire hose or a portable extinguisher (with
fire is.
Clean the kitchen fan of grease
the electrical system against damage,
a warning sign.
a registered electrician to check the
Check for scorch marks or excessive
overloading can cause fires, especially
If serious faults or damage are
system.
The smoke detector should be tested
26
a minimum effect of 21A). It is the owner

of the propertys responsibility to install fire
Fire drills at home
heat in the fuse box
if the system is old and in need of main-
suspected, the landlord must
When you discover faults in the electri-
extinguishing equipment and its mainte-
Carry out regular fire drills with your family.
Check cords, plugs, sockets and
tenance. If the fuses tend to blow often,
disconnect relevant equipment/fuses
cal system, contact the landlord or an
nance. The equipment must be visible,
Agree procedures for how to alert others,
lamps for scorch marks.
they are overloaded. You should reduce
and contact a registered electrician.
electrician so that it can be fixed.
easily accessible and well maintained, and
call the fire service and evacuate the
your electricity consumption or spread
the residents of the house or apartment
building. Practise what you have agreed
the heat sources between more circuits.
must know how to use it.
during fire drills. Talk to your children

about fires and fire prevention.
27
28
Interpreters
Norwegian language courses
Interpreters
Norwegian language courses
An interpreter is a person who translates
the agency with which you are meet-
If you hold a residence permit pursuant
The obligation to participate applies to
oral communication from one language
ing if you need an interpreter. State
to the EEA regulations or if you are a
everyone between the ages of 16 and 55.
to another. If you do not understand
exactly which language you need. It may
national of one of the Nordic countries,
Persons between the ages of 55 and 67
Norwegian, you may need to use an
take a while to find a good interpreter, so
tuition in the Norwegian language is not
may participate in the tuition if they wish
interpreter in meetings with the authorities
please let the agency know as long time
mandatory. The tuition is not free. Contact
to do so, but it is not mandatory.
in order to explain the matter and receive
in advance of the conversation/meeting
the municipality where you live for infor-
the information you need. Civil servants
as possible. If you are unable to attend
mation about the tuition it offers. There
Contact the municipality where you
are responsible for obtaining sufficient
at the scheduled time for which the inter-
are also many online tuition courses
live for more information about what
information from the clients/users of the
preter has been booked, it is important to
available.
applies in your case as regards to
service in question to be able to make a
give notice of this so that the interpreting
decision in a case. They also have a duty
service can be cancelled.
tuition in Norwegian.
If you are a national of a country outside
the EU/EEA and are in Norway as a
to provide you with necessary information

about the service and the decisions that
Interpreters have an absolute duty
labour immigrant, you may be obliged
are made.
of confidentiality. This means
to take tuition in the Norwegian language
that the interpreter cannot
if you later wish to apply for perma-
The language used by the Norwegian
pass on any information
nent residence. You meet the require-
government administration is Norwegian,
that he/she becomes
ment if you take 250 hours of tuition in
but staff must consider whether an
aware of in connection
Norwegian and 50 hours in social studies
interpreter is required to ensure satisfac-
with the interpreting.
or pass a specific Norwegian test.The
tory service. Due process protection and
tuition is not free. The purpose of this
equal treatment considerations are very
scheme is to ensure that everyone who
important in this context.
can be granted permanent residence

in Norway has basic knowledge of the
Public agencies must order and pay for
Norwegian language and of Norwegian
interpreting services when an interpreter
society.
is needed. You must therefore inform
29
Employment
Employment
contract.................. 32
Working hours........ 32
Pay.......................... 33
ID cards in the
building industry.... 33
ID cards in the
cleaning industry.... 34
Holidays and
holiday pay............. 34
30
Working
environment
Helth, safety and
the environment
(HSE)....................... 39
Personal
insurance................ 40
Tax
Trade unions
Tax system.............. 42
Trade unions
and trade union
federations............. 44
- Collective
agreements............ 45
- General application
of collective
agreements............ 45
- Membership............ 45
Tax deduction
card......................... 42
Pay slips.................. 43
Accidents at work... 40
Tax return............... 43
Occupational
injury...................... 40
Tax settlement........ 44
Impaired work
ability..................... 41
Leave...................... 35
Work assessment
allowance............... 41
Self-certified
sickness.................. 36
Disability
pension................... 41
Recognition of
higher education
Who needs
authorisation or
recognition?........... 46
General
recognition............. 47
Obligation to pay
taxes in Norway...... 44
31
Work
Sick leave................ 36
Sickness benefit...... 37
Temporary
lay-offs................... 37
Dismissal................ 38
- Collective
redundancies ........ 38
- Dismissal without
notice....................... 39
Unemployment
Old-age pension
Entrepreneurship
Unemployment
benefit.................... 47
Old-age pension..... 49
Entrepreneurship.... 49
Job seeking............. 48
The rights of EEA
citizens moving
between
countries................. 48
This section contains information about your rights and duties

as an employee. It provides information about what your
employment contract should include, how to pay taxes, and
whether your education can be recognised.
Employment
Employment contract
Working hours
Everyone is entitled to a written employ-
In principle, normal working hours are
required and is of a limited duration, and
ment contract, irrespective of the length
maximum nine hours per day and 40
this work shall then be compensated with
of employment or the percentage of a full-
hours per seven days. If you work dif-
an overtime supplement of at least 40 per
time position. The employment contract
ferent work rotas, the weekly working
cent of normal hourly pay.
describes employees and employers
hours are 38 or 36 hours for a seven day
rights and duties, and it shall always con-
period, depending on your work rota.
tain information about: who has entered
32
Pay
into the contract, the workplace, a descr-
An alternative arrangement of working
iption of the work or position, the date on
hours is permitted. It is called average
which the employment commences, the
calculation of working hours. This requires
The right to paid travel time between the
expected duration of the employment if
a written agreement, and means that the
home and the workplace is not regulated
it is temporary, the right to holidays and
employee can work more during some
by law, and this must be agreed with the
holiday pay, the probationary period if this
periods and less in others, but that the
employer.
has been agreed, period of notice, pay,
average working hours remain within the
length and specification of working hours,
limits of ordinary working hours.
regulating the employment relationship.
this necessary.
For more information about working

hours see www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
As a rule, the rest period must be 11

hours in the course of 24 hours and 35
The employer shall prepare a draft em-
hours in the course of 7 days, and, as a
ployment contract as soon as possible
rule, time off shall be taken on Sundays or
and no later than one month after the
public holidays. Employees are entitled to
start of the employment relationship.
a break if their daily working hours exceed

5,5 hours, and breaks shall total 30 min-
For more information about employ-
utes if the daily working hours exceed 8
ment contract see www.arbeidstil-
hours. Work in excess of normal working
synet.no.
hours shall only occur if it is specifically
As a rule, pay is not regulated by law in

Norway, and there is therefore no general
minimum wage. Having a clear and unambiguous written agreement on pay is
therefore very important.
from there depends on the reason your

wages have not been paid. If the employer cannot pay because he has solvency
problems, the next step is a petition for
compulsory liquidation.
An exception from the main rule applies

in the building and construction idustry,
the shipbuilding industries and green
sector. In these idustries, the collective
agreements have been made generally
applicable, which means that wages are
regulated and minimum wage rates apply.
If your employer is declared bankrupt,

the NAV Wage Guarantee scheme may
cover pay that is due to you. In such
case, you must file your wage claim
correctly and within certain deadlines.
If you wait too long, your claim might
become obsolete and fail to be covered
by the NAV Wage Guarantee scheme.
NAV Wage Guarantee can provide guidance about what you should do and
what deadlines apply.
Everyone working on construction sites

in Norway must have a special identity
card; this applies to both Norwegian and
foreign employees in full and part-time
positions, on short or long-term contracts
and to self-employed persons. The ID
Night work and work on Sundays is only

permitted if the nature of the work makes
breaks and any collective agreements
ID cards in the building industry
Many enterprises have entered into collective agreements. There are agreements
concerning pay and other rights between
employers federation and trade unions.
You must join a trade union in order to be
entitled to the right set out in a collective
agreement.
If you do not receive the pay you are
entitled to, you must send a letter to your
employer by recorded delivery, specifying
your wage claim. Set a specific deadline,
at least one week ahead, and write that if
you are not paid within the deadline, you
will take the matter further. The procedure
If the employer refuses to pay, the

Conciliation Board is the correct body to
turn to. The Labour Inspection Authority
can provide more detailed information
about the procedure in such cases.
Make sure you can document your wage
claim by, for exemple, timesheets, your
employment contract, old pay slips ect.
For more information about pay see
www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
card requirement also applies to people

who carry out support functions when
they are permanently established within
the construction area. The purpose of this
scheme is to identify the employee and
who the employing enterprise is. It is the
employers responsibility to ensure that
all employees have such ID cards. Selfemployed persons must obtain ID cards
themselves.
33
Employment
34
ID cards in the cleaning industry
Holidays and holiday pay
Leave
The term construction industry refers
All employees, both Norwegian and
All employees who start a job before 30
are entitled to have two weeks holiday
Holiday pay is earned the year before it
An employee is entitled to take leave
to the construction of buildings, interior
foreign, who carry out cleaning work
October are entitled to 25 working days
transferred to the following year, of, on ac-
is paid (the holiday year). Holiday pay is
in connection with pregnancy, care in
and installation work, the assembly and
must have an ID card from the Norwegian
holiday by the end of the holiday year
count of illness, you have been prevented
10.2 per cent of the wages paid during
connection with birth, births and parental
dismantling of prefabricated elements,
Labour Inspection Authority. The
(which follows the calendar year), irrespec-
from taking holidays by the end of the
the earning year. Holiday pay is normally
leave. Leave rights in connection with
demolition, renovations and repairs, sani-
requirement for an ID card also applies
tive of whether they are entitled to holiday
holiday year. The demand must be sub-
paid in June. Part of your pay in June will
having a child mean that, together, par-
tation and maintenance and groundwork.
to self-employed persons (sole proprie-
pay or not. Those who start in a job after
mitted before the end of the year. Holiday
be withheld by your employer. This money
ents are entitled to take leave from work
Identity cards are not required for building
tors without employees) and employees
30 October are entitled to six working
transferred due to the illness comes in
will be paid to you when you actually take
until the child is three years old. The first
activities in stationary, permanent enter-
who are hired out to do cleaning work.
days holiday. There are six working days
addition to any other holidays that you
your holiday.You are entitled to be paid
year is paid by the Norwegian Labour and
prises, such as shipyards or factories.
The purpose is to identify who you are and
in an ordinary week and in practice 25
have agreed to transfer. It is possible to
holiday pay one week before taking your
Welfare Service (NAV). The employer can
who you work for. The card is valid for
working days is four weeks and one days
transfer 12 working days holiday because
holiday or in connection with the final
demand that the leave be taken as one
There is only one body that issues these
as long as you are employed by the enter-
holiday in the course of a holiday year. The
of illness. An employee can thus transfer
settlement if you leave the enterprise.
continuous period. The reason for this is
identity cards, and they can be ordered
prise, but not for longer than two years.
employee is entitled to three continuous
a total of 24 working days holiday to the
Employees on sick leave cannot demand
the employers need for predictability as
weeks holiday during the main holiday
following holiday year.
to have their holiday pay paid before they
regards staffing.
from www.byggekort.no.
Your employer must issue you an ID card.
period from 1 June to 30 September.
For more information about ID cards
The card is linked to your employment
Employees are entitled to take the remain-
Holiday that, in violation of the statutory
employment relationship. Holidays are
An employee is entitled to take the time
see www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
relationship with a specific firm. If you are
der of their holidays in one continuous
provisions, have not been taken by the
agreed with the employer, and notification
off she needs to breastfeed her child. This
employed by more than one employer,
period. The stipulation of holidays must
end of the holiday year shall be transferred
must be given to the Norwegian Labour
type of leave is unpaid.
you must have an ID card for each
be discussed in advance, but the
to the next holiday year. Unused holiday
and Welfare Administration (NAV) so that
employment relationship. You must notify
employer decides when you take your
days will thus not be lost of the employer
sickness benefit payments can be tempo-
An employee is entitled to take time off
your employer immediately if you lose
holiday within the time frame regulated
and/or employee is passive and does
rarily suspended during the period when
if the child or childminder is ill. This right
your ID card or if it is stolen from you. Your
by law.
nothing to ensure that mandatory holidays
holiday pay is received. It is important to
applies until the calendar year the child
either take their holiday or terminate the
are taken. An exception applies if this is
remember that, for income purposes, a
is 12 years old and covers ten days per
you can get a new card. If you stop work-
The employer and employee can agree
due to illness or parental leave. All earned
year consists of eleven months of wages
year, or 15 days per year if the employee
ing for the enterprise, you must return the
in writing to transfer a maximum of two
holiday pay is then paid on the first ordi-
and one month of holiday pay.
has more than two children. If the child
card to your employer.
weeks holiday to the following holiday
nary pay day in the following year.
employer will notify the card issuer, so that
has a chronic illness or disability, the em-
year. It is a condition that both parties
For more information about holidays
ployee has extended rights. The Working
For more information about ID-cards
agree on this. Taking holiday in advance
and holiday pay see www.arbeidstil-
Environment Act regulates the right to
see www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
can also be agreed in the same way. You
synet.no.
take time off work; rights to benefits
35
Employment
36
Self-certified sickness
Sick leave
Sickness benefit
Temporary lay-offs
in connection with periods of leave are
As an employee, you are entitled to
If you are sick longer than the time
Loss of income due to illness may entitle
An employer can, in whole or in part,
If an employer dismisses an employee
regulated by the National Insurance
self-declared sick leave, i.e. to notify your
allowed by the self-declaration, you must
you to sickness benefit. The condition
be excused from the obligation to pay
who has been laid off, the lay-off will
Act. Pregnancy check-ups are the sole
employer that you are unable to work
get in touch with your doctor in order to
is that you have been employed for at
wages, and an employee can temporarily
immediately cease to apply. Employees
exception. The Working Environment
due to illness without having to present
get a medical certificate. If the doctor
least four weeks before sick leave begins.
be excused from the obligation to work,
have a duty to work and employers have
Act entitles women to paid leave for this
a medical certificate. The main rule is
regards sick leave necessary, he/she will
Your are entitled to sickness benefit for a
in connection with temporary lay-offs.
a duty to pay wages during the agreed
purpose. Rights relating to benefits in
that self-declared sick leave can be used
issue a medical certificate for the required
maximum of 52 weeks. The illness must
Reasonable grounds for lay-offs can,
or statutory period of notice, even if
connection with such leaves of absence
for up to three calendar days at a time.
period. The doctor will also assess
be documented by a self-declaration or
for example, be a lack of orders, the
the employer has no work to offer. An
are otherwise regulated by the National
For more than three calendar days you
whether full sick leave (100 per cent) is
a medical certificate. You are entitled to
over-accumulation of stock, accidents or
employee who has been laid off can,
Insurance Act. Contact NAV for more
must present a medical certificate from
required, or whether you are able to per-
sickness benefit from your first day of
similar. Even if the employee is tempo-
however, hand in his/her notice with 14
detailed information about such benefits.
a doctor. Self-declared sick leave can be
form some of your work and only need
absence. The employer pays the sick-
rarily laid-off, the employment relationship
days notice if the period during which
used four times in the course of a 12-
partial sick leave. For example you may
ness benefit for the first 16 days, after
persists.
the employer is obliged to pay wages
month period.
be on 50 per cent sick leave and work 50
which the Norwegian National Insurance
per cent of the time. The employer shall
scheme takes over.
An employee is entitled to unpaid study

leave for up to three years if the employee
has come to an end.

Notification of a lay-off shall be given
in writing at least 14 days before it is
For more information about
For more information, see
implemented, and the employee shall
temporary lay-offs see
self-certified sick leave. The conditions
www.nav.no, contact your NAV Local
receive normal pay during the period of
www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
for self-certified sick leave may differ. Ask
Services or call NAVs service centre
notice. After the period of notice, there
education must be part of an organised
your employer about the rules in your
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
is a period during which the employer is
course of education, but it does not have
workplace.
has worked for at least three years and
You must have been employed for at
adjust your duties if necessary, and follow
has been employed by the same em-
least two months to be entitled to take
you up while on sick leave.
ployer for the last two years. In order to

be entitled to take this type of leave, the
obliged to pay wages. This is currently
to be related to the employees position.
five days, and 15 days if the employee is
An employee is not entitled, however, to
laid off for less than 40 per cent of his/
take this type of leave if it is an obstacle
her normal working hours. The maximum
to the employer properly planning the
period an employee can be laid off is cur-
running of the enterprise.
rently 52 weeks. The number of days the

employer is obliged to pay wages and the
An employee is also entitled to take leave
maximum lay-off period can vary. Contact
to care for close relatives during the final
NAV for up-to-date information.
stages of their lives, to complete military

service and to serve in public office.
37
Employment
Working environment
Dismissal
Health, safety and the environment (HSE)
An employer may dismiss an employee
be requested within 14 days of the
An employee cannot be dismissed
to reaching an agreement to avoid col-
The employer is responsible
The employee is responsible
if he/she has reasonable grounds for
receipt of the notice of dismissal. In
because she is pregnat. If the employer
lective redundancies or to reduce the
for the following:
for ensuring:
doing so. The reasonable grounds must
this type of case, assistance should be
cannot prove that the dismissal is unre-
number of redundancies.
that the employee has a fully adequate
that he or she complies with instruc-
be based on circumstances relating to
sought from a lawyer or trade union,
lated to the pregnancy, the dismissal is
either the employee or the employer/
and the law courts in Norway settle such
unlawful.
enterprise. An example of circumstances
cases.
relating to the employee could be seri-
38
working environment, which means
tions and safety rules laid down in the
Dismissal without notice
that you will not sustain any physical or
enterprises guidelines and the law.
An employer can summarily dismiss
mental injuries or illnesses as a result
that personal protective equipment is
An emplyee who is on pregancy leave,
an employee if the employee is in
of the work.
used when necessary.
ous breach of the employment contract.
Unless otherwise specified, the period
compassionate leave, maternity leave or
gross breach of his/her obligations or
systematically monitoring that work
that notice is given to the management
Examples of circumstances relating to the
of notice is one month, which starts on
is in the first year of parental leave must
is otherwise in material breach of the
in the enterprise is performed in a safe
or safety delegate if the employee sees
employer/enterprise could be a necessary
the first day of the month after notice
not be dismissed with effect during the
employment contract. This means that
and secure manner. This means that
anything in the working environment
reduction in the size of the workforce or
has been given. The law also contains
period of leave when the employer is
the employee will not be given a period
the employer must regularly assess
that constitutes a risk to life
reorganisation.
absolute rules about periods of notice
aware of the reason for the absence. If
of notice and no pay from the day she/
whether the work entails any risk,
and health.
from 14 days to six months, depending
the employer has reasonable grounds for
he is summarily dismissed. The employee
prepare a plan for how any risks can
that he/she participates in dialogue
Notice must be given in writing, whether
on the length of employment and the
the dismissal, the period of notice starts
is not entitled to remain in the position
be prevented and implement meas-
meetings and helping to draw up and
by the employer or the employee. Notice
employees age.
when the leave of absence is over. The
during the hearing of a dispute unless the
ures accordingly.
carry out follow-up plans in connection
same applies in relation to adoption.
court so rules.
that the employee has personal pro-
with absences.
from the employer must be given in

writing and must either be delivered in
An employee who is completly or partially
person or sent by recorded delivery in
absent from work cannot be dismissed
Collective redundancies
In other respects, the same rules
before the employee starts on a task,
All enterprises shall have a safety delegate,
the post. An employee can request that
due to his/her absence during the first 12
The term collective redundancies refers
apply as for ordinary dismissals.
a risk assessment of the task must
who is an employee with a special role in
the grounds for the dismissal be given in
months. If the employer cannot prove that
to dismissal given to at least ten employ-
be carried out and protective equip-
relation to monitoring and attending to the
writing if he/she so wishes. The dismissal
the dismissal is unrelated to the illness,
ees within a period of 30 days, without
For more information about dismissal
ment, safety instructions, training pro-
working environment in the enterprise. The
must contain information about the em-
the dismissal is unlawful.
being warranted by reasons relating to
and collective redundancies see
vided, and the organisation of the
safety delegate shall participate actively in
the individual employees.
www.arbeistilsynet.no.
work must be adapted accordingly.
work on safety, and he/she is the person
ployees right to negotiations, the right to
tective equipment when necessary.
you must contact if safety is not adequate-
take the matter to court and the right to
After the first year, illness can consti-
remain in the position if he/she requests
tute reasonable grounds for dismissal,
An employer who is considering collective
negotiations. If an employee requests
but this must be subject to a concrete
redundancies must discuss this with the
negotiations about dismissal, this must
assessment.
employees representatives with an aim
ly attended to in the enterprise.

For more information about safety
delegates see www.arbeidstilsynet.no.
39
Working environment
40
Personal insurance
Accidents at work
Occupational injury
Impaired work ability
Work assessment allowance
Disability pension
There are different types of personal
An employer is obliged to notify the
By occupational injury we mean injury,
If your health reduces your ability to work
If your ability to work has been reduced
If your earning ability has been perma-
insurance. You can take out personal in-
Labour Inspection Authority as quickly as
illness or death caused by an accident
or your options in relation to choosing an
by at least fifty per cent as a result of
nently reduced by at least fifty per cent
surance for death, disability, critical illness
possible in the event of a fatal accident or
at work. Certain illnesses can also be
occupation or workplace, you may be en-
illness, injury or impairment, you may be
due to illness, injury or impairment, you
or one of the above alone.
accident involving serious personal injury.
recognised as an occupational illnesses if
titled to particular services and measures
entitled to work assessment allowance.
may be entitled to disability pension. It
Examples of such serious injury could
the illness is a result of harmful influence
from NAV to help you return to work.
The most important question is not how
must be substantiated that expedient
Insurance that pays compensation in the
be: injuries to the head, skeletal injuries,
of the working environment.
much your health is imapaired, but to
treatment and individual, appropriate
event of death due to illness or accidents
internal injuries, loss of a body part, poi-
what extent it affects your possibilities of
work-related mearures cannot improve
is called life insurance. If you want to
soning, frostbite, burns, corrosive injuries,
An employer is obliged to notify your NAV
taking paid employment.
your earning ability.
secure your finances in the event of dis-
loss of consciousness and injuries that
Local Services about occupational injury
ability or critical illness, you can take out
require hospital treatment.
or occupational illness. It is your respon-
Work assessment allowance is intended
NAV decides whether you meet the
sibility to ensure that your employer is
to assure that you have income in a tran-
requirements for disability pension. As
separate or combined insurance for this,

in which case you must complete a medi-
An employer is also obliged to notify the
made aware of the injury. You can report
sitional period when you, due to illness
a rule, you must have been a memeber
cal declaration form.
National Labour and Welfare Service
the injury yourself if your employer does
or injury, require work-related measures,
of the National Insurance scheme for
(NAV) about injuries and illnesses that
not meet his/her reporting duty.
medical treatment or other follow-up from
at least the last three years before you
NAV in order to obtain employment.
became disabled. Exeptions can be
If no one else is dependent on your
may entitle employees to occupa-
income, it is usually sufficient to take out
tional injury coverage from the National
disability insurance. For cohabitants, per-
Insurance scheme. The person in
As a rule, you must have been a member
18 and 67, and, as the rule, you must still
sonal insurance is often a better solution
question may also be entitled to occu-
of the National Insurance scheme for at
be a member of the National Insurance
than credit life insurance (which cancels
pational injury coverage pursuant to the
least three years before you apply. If you
scheme.
debt in case of death).
Act relating to industrial injury insurance.
have been fit for employment, it is suf-
Such claims shall be addressed to the
ficent that you have been a member for
For more information see
insurance company with which the em-
one year before you apply. Exeptions can
ployer has taken out occupational injury
be made. You must be between the ages
insurance.
of 18 and 67, and, as a rule, you must
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
made. You must be between the ages of
live or stay in the country.
41
Tax
Tax system
Tax deduction card
The public sector in Norway pays for
Everyone working in Norway must have
You must go in person to one of the
Each time you are paid, you receive a
Please note that you may be entitled to
extensive services in the interests of the
a tax deduction card. The tax deduction
ment contract, a written offer
following tax offices:
pay slip from your employer. The pay slip
deductions from your income, e.g. the
population, including a public health
card shows how much tax your employer
of employment or documentation
shows how much you have been paid
standard deduction for foreign employees
system under which everyone is entitled
should deduct before you are paid. You
of a Norwegian-registered business.
Tax Norway East:
and any tax that has been deducted. The
or a deduction for expenses relating to
to treatment, has a right to education and
must give your tax deduction card to your
Oslo, Sandvika, Lillestrm, Gjvik,
pay slip also acts as a receipt showing
living away from your home abroad (com-
help in several other areas. The taxes that
employer.
Fredrikstad, Hamar and Tynset
that tax has been deducted. You should
muter deduction). You must claim these
therefore keep your pay slips.
deductions yourself by entering them in
we pay are spent on public services such
42
Pay slips
EEA nationals
A passport or approved ID card.
as healthcare, hospitals, education and
You will be issued a tax deduction card
Applicants should bring an employment
Tax Norway South:
transport and communications. In addi-
by the local tax office if you have a
contract, a written offer of employment or
Drammen, Kristiansand, Skien, Tnsberg,
tion to covering general public expendi-
Norwegian employer or by the Central
documentation of a Norwegian-registered
Gol, Lyngdal and Arendal
Tax return
ture, taxes are designed to contribute to
Office Foreign Tax Affairs if you have a
business.
declare income or capital (for example a
greater equality between individuals.
your tax return.
information in your tax return. If you fail to

Tax Norway West:
Everyone who works in Norway receices
Employers have an independent respon-
Frde, Sogndal, Bergen, Haugesund,
a tax return at the end og the March/
house, car, boat, cash etc.), your tax can

be increased (additional tax).
foreign employer.
Taxes account for the most of local and
Note that a tax deduction card from the
sibility for ensuring that all their employ-
Egersund, Stavanger, Nordfjordeid and
beginning of April in the year following the
central government revenues. A distinc-
Central Office Foreign Tax Affairs is sent
ees are entitled to work in Norway. Any
Odda
income year. If you do not receive a tax
tion is drawn between direct and indirect
to your employer, who is required to give
questions must be addressed to the
taxes. The direct taxes are infome tax and
you part two of the card.
immigration authorities.
If you apply for a tax deduction card you
Nationals from outside the EEA area
Indirect taxes include value added tax
must have the following documentation
A passport
(VAT). It is a tax we pay when we buy
with you:
Applicants should bring an employment
Tax Norway North:
among others. You must check that the
contract, a written offer of employment or
Kirkenes, Hammerfest, Alta, Troms,
information is the same as that con-
wealth tax.
goods and services. It means that some
return, you must contact the tax office.
You can read more about how
Tax Norway Central Norway:
It is important that the tax office knows
to submit your tax return at
Trondheim, lesund, Kristiansund,
which address to send your tax return
www.taxnorway.no.
Namsos, Steinkjer, Molde and Hitra
to. The tax return is pre-completed with

information received from your employer,
of the prices that we pay for goods or
Nordic nationals
documentation of a Norwegian-registered
Harstad, Bod, Mo i Rana, Brnnysund,
tained in the Certificate of Pay and Tax
services is in turn paid to the public
A passport or a valid driving licence
business.
Svolvr, Vads, Sortland and Narvik
Deducted that you receive from your
purse.
together with a transcript from the

population register in the applicants
home country. The transcript must not
be older than three months.
It is important that you provide correct
employer in January. You must correct

any errors in your tax return and submit
it to your local tax office.
43
Tax
44
Trade unions
Tax settlement
Obligation to pay taxes in Norway
Trade unions and trade

union federations
When your tax return has been pro-
All persons who, pursuant to Norwegian
A trade union is an association of employ-
The Norwegian United Federation
agreement is an agreement between an
and the collective agreement for agricul-
cessed by the tax authorities, you will
regulations, are resident in Norway are
ees in one or several enterprises. It can
of Trade Unions (Fellesforbundet)
employers federation and a trade union
ture and plant nurseries have been given
receive a tax settlement notice. It contains
liable to pay tax on all their income and
operate over both small and large geo-
is a member of the Confederation of
federation concerning pay and working
general application.
information about the income on which
wealth. You become resident for tax pur-
graphical areas. Trade unions in an enter-
Norwegian Trade Unions (LO), and it
conditions. The pay and working condi-
the tax assessment is based, how much
poses if you live in Norway for more than
prise are generally called local branches
is the largest union in the private sector
tions are usually better in workplaces that
Membership
tax your employer has deducted and
183 days during a 12-month period or
or shops. A trade union looks after
in Norway, with approximately 160,000
are bound by collective agreements than
To be a member of a union, you must
whether you have paid too much or too
more than 270 days during a 36-month
the interests of its members. The most
members.
in most companies that are not. The size
pay a certain annual amount, in what
little tax. You will receive the tax settle-
period.
important job of a trade union is to fight
of your salary and other benefits depends
are called union dues. The union dues
on the terms agreed in the collective
may be a percentage of your gross pay
agreements. The level may vary from one
or a fixed amount. In addition, the local
industry to another.
branch/union may charge a separate
ment notice in June, August, September
for better pay and working conditions for
The other main employee
or October in the year following the
A person who is not resident in Norway
its members. There are also trade unions
confederations are:
income year.
long enough to be considered resident
that have several affiliated local branches
The Federation of Norwegian
pursuant to the Norwegian tax regulations
in a limited geographical area.
Professional Associations
If you have paid too little tax, you must
is still liable to pay tax on, among other
pay the remaining amount by the due
things, income from employment and
date that you find on the giro that
income from business in Norway.
accompanies the tax settlement notice.
administrative fee. You can become a
(Akademikerne),
General application
member of a union regardless of your
Most trade unions are affiliated to a
www.akademikerne.no
of collective agreements
nationality, and regardless of where the
national federation. A national federa-
The Confederation of Vocational
In Norway, several collective agreements
company you work for is registered. If you
tion is usually a nationwide organisation
Unions (Yrkesorganisasjonens
have been given general application. This
experience trouble in the workplace, the
If you have paid too much tax, the excess
The obligation to pay taxes in Norway
consisting of local trade unions. Most
Sentralforbund), www.ys.no
means that these provisions will apply to
union can help you. Examples could be
amount will be refunded.
may be limited by a tax treaty between
national federations are affiliated to a
The Confederation of Unions for
all employees who carry out the type of
a dispute with an employer, non-payment
Norway and your home country. It is
main confederation of employees. There
Professionals UNIO, www.unio.no
work covered by the agreement, includ-
of wages or holiday pay, unfair dismissal
worth noting, however, that if you work
are four main employee confederations
in Norway for a Norwegian employer
in Norway.
or if you are on hire to a Norwegian em-
ing foreign employees and Norwegian
or an occupational injury. Several unions
Collective agreements
employees who are not members of
offer insurance schemes as part of mem-
In Norway, trade unions have much
a trade union.
bership benefits.
ployer, you are always liable to pay
The Confederation of Norwegian Trade
greater influence than in many other
tax in Norway.
Unions (LO) is currently the biggest con-
countries. The trade union federations
In Norway, parts of the Engineering
federation of unions in Norway. It has 21
enter into national collective agree-
Industry Agreement, the Collective
Further information about the tax
national federations as members. These
ments with the employers. A collective
Agreement for the Building Industry
system is available at www.taxnor-
federations have a total of approximately
way.no.
880,000 members.You will find more

information at www.lo.no.
45
Recognition of higher education
Unemployment
Who needs authorisation or recognition?
PROFESSION
Health personnel
46
Auditors, accountants,
estate agents, licensed
debts collectors
Veterinary surgeons,
fish health biologists
Lawyers
Maritime professions
Pilots, aircraft technicians
AUTHORISATION/
RECOGNITION BODY
The Norwegian Registation Authority

for Health personnel (SAHF)
www.sahf.no
The Financial Supervisory
Authority of Norway
www.finanstilsynet.no
The Norwegian Food
Safety Authority
www.mattilsynet.no
The Supervisory Council
for Legal Practice
www.tilsynet.no
General recognition
Unemployment benefit
INVIA is a new national information centre
The Norwegian Agency for Quality
To be entitled to unemployment benefit,
you can stay in your country of residence
that provides information about the
Assurance in Education (NOKUT)
your working hours must usually have
while receiving unemployment benefit
Norwegian authorisation and recognition
provides general recognition (level and
been reduced by at least 50 per cent.
from Norway. Cross-border workers are
schemes. INVIA is intended as a guide for
scope) of higher education from other
You must meet the general requirements
persons who live in one country and work
persons seeking recognition of education
countries. This means that NOKUT can
for unemployment benefit in Norway
in another and who travel to their country
and/or work experience from abroad.
grant you credits and, if applicable, pro-
and be willing to do any kind of work.
of residence at least once a week.
vide general recognition of your educa-
As a main rule, you must live or reside
INVIA is also the point of contact for the
tion/degree as being equivalent to a uni-
in Norway.
recognition of professional qualifications
versity college degree, Bachelors degree,
for professionals regulated by law in
Masters degree, or a PhD degree.
Norway, covered by Directive 2005/36/
Entitlements to unemployment benefit

earned in another EEA country can be
To receive unemployment benefit,
transferred to Norway using form PD U1/
you must be registered as a job seeker
SED U002/U004 from the country where
EC. This means that INVIA is there to help
However, NOKUT does not provide
at www.nav.no or at yourNAV Local
you used to work. You must be able to
nationals of EU/EEA countries by provid-
recognition of the academic content of
Services. You must then complete the
document that you have become unem-
ing information about the recognition of
an education. Norwegian universities and
Unemployment Benefit Claim Form.
ployed in Norway. It will be sufficient for
professional qualifications in Norway.
university colleges consider applications
School pupils and students are, as
you to document that you have become
for recognition of the academic content
a rule,not entitled to unemployment
unemployed through no fault of your own
of an education that is equivalent to the
benefit.
after having worked for at least one day.
The Norwegian Maritime

Directorate
www.sjofartsdir.no
educational programmes they provide.
The Civil Aviation Authority

- Norway
www.luftfartstilsynet.no
It is a condition that the entitlements you
NOKUT does not recognise vocational
You may be entitled to unemployment
have earned in the country you move
qualifications that are not defined as
benefit if you are temporarily laid off. Your
from also entitle you to unemployment
higher education in the home country,
working hours must have been reduced
benefit in Norway. You must also meet
and it does not grant authorisation to
by at least 50 per cent. For persons who
the general conditions for entitlement to
regulated professions.
are temporarily laid-off in the fish process-
unemployment benefit in Norway.
ing industry, working hours must have

Further information about the recog-
been reduced by at least 40 per cent.
nition of higher education, documen-
If you are a frontier worker,
tation requirements and the approval

process is available at www.invia.no
and www.nokut.no.
47
Unemployment
48
Old-age
pension
Entrepreneurship
Job seeking
The rights of EEA citizens

moving between countries
Old-age pension
Starting own business
On certain conditions, you may keep your
At www.nav.no, you will find Norways
The EEA regulations ensure that you may
You can receive a retirement pension
Do you have a business idea and want
The website will guide you to the forms
Norwegian unemployment benefit for up
largest job vacancies database. When you
keep your earned rights while moving
from the National Insurance scheme
to start your own business? At www.
that you are required to submit to the
to three months while you are applying
register as a user of the job seeker servic-
between EEA countries.
when you have reached the age of 62
spor-oss.no, you will find simple answers
authorities about your business. You
for a job in another EEA country. You
es at www.nav.no, you get your own page,
if you have had sufficiently high earn-
to the most frequently asked questions
will also find links to Lovdata (collection
must then submit a claim in writing using
where you can enter permanent searches
ings. Everyone can receive a retirement
about the rules that apply to starting and
of Norwegian laws) and other relevant
the application form NAV 04-02.01 for a
for vacancies and publish your own CV.
pension on reaching the age of 67. Your
running your own business.
websites.
PD U2 certificate. This certificate entitles
You can also receive e-mail notification of
annual retirement pension will be higher
you to stay in another country as a job
relevant vacancies. As a registered user,
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
the longer you wait until drawing it. You
At www.spor-oss.no, you will find infor-
If you have any further questions, you
seeker while receiving unemployment
you may also be contacted by employers.
must have lived in Norway for at least
mation about things you should think
can submit them to the editorial staff
benefit from Norway.If you are job seeking
three years after reaching the age of 16
about before starting your own business
at www.spor-oss.no. You will receive
in Norway while receiving unemployment
At www.nav.no, you can download the
and still be a member of the National
and answers to the most frequently
a reply via e-mail within a short time.
benefit from another EEA country, you
brochure Living and working in Norway.
Insurance scheme. If you have worked in
asked questions about registering a busi-
must bring form PD U2 with you from the
The brochure is available in English,
another EEA country, an exception may
ness. In addition, you will find answers
country from which you receive employ-
German and Polish. It contains useful
be made from the condition regarding a
to questions relating to running your
ment benefit. Or NAV must be sent SED
information about applying for a job in
minimum residence period. If you move to
own business, including documentation
U008 by the authorities in the country
Norway and how to write a CV.
another EEA country, you keep your old-
requirements, taxes and employment
age pension from the Norwegian National
requirements if you are going to employ
Insurance Scheme.
other people.
from which you are entitled to receive unemployment benefit. You must register as
At your NAV Local Services, you can
a job seeker when you arrive in Norway
use a computer to search for vacancies
and comply with the Norwegian rules that
and submit applications. You can also
You must earn pension rights for 40
apply to registration as a job seeker with
call NAVs Service centre phone line on
years to be entitled to a full pension from
NAV, i.e. submit an employment status
tel. 800 33 166 for information about
Norway.
form every 14 days to yourNAV Local
vacancies.
Services.

on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
49
Children
Pregnancy benefit... 52
50
Parental benefit...... 52
Lump sum maternity
and adoption
grants..................... 52
Child benefit........... 53
Cash-for-care
benefit.................... 53
Pre-school day care
centres.................... 53
The daycarecentre/
school system
The school system
Assistance for
children and families
The day care centre/

school system......... 54
Primary and lower

secondary schools.. 56
Family counselling
services.................. 60
Good advice for

parents................... 55
Before and afterschool programme...56
Children welfare
service.................... 60
Parent-teacher
cooperation............ 57
Mediation............... 61
Upper secondary
school..................... 57
Womens shelters... 61
School transport..... 58
Special language
tuition..................... 58
Higher education.... 58
- The Norwegian
universities and
colleges admission
service..................... 58
The Norwegian
State Educational
Loan Fund............... 59
- Who is eligible for
support?.................. 59
- What kind of support
can i apply for?...... 59
- How do i apply?..... 60
This section contains information about the Norwegian

school system. In addition, it provides information about
benefits you are entitled to as a parent, and who to contact
for advice or help regarding difficult family issues.
51
Children
52
Pregnancy benefit
Parental benefit
Lump sum maternity

and adoption grants
Child benefit
Cash-for-care benefit
Pre-school day care centers
You may be entitled to pregnancy benefit
The purpose of parental benefit is to
A woman who is not entitled to parental
The purpose of child benefit is to partly
You can be paid cash-for-care benefit for
The municipalities are responsible for pre-
if you are pregnant and your work could
secure an income for parents in connec-
benefit may be entitled to a lump sum
cover the expences of having a child.
children between the ages of 1 and 2.
school day care centres in Norway. There
entail a risk of injury to your unborn child.
tion with childbirth or adoption. You may
grant paid in connection with childbirth
You can be paid child benefit from the
The condition is that the child does not
are both private and public pre-school
You must have been working for at least
be entitled to parental benefit if you have
or adoption.
month following the childs birth, or the
have a full-time place in a publicly-funded
day care centres for children between the
four weeks to be entitled to pregnancy
had pensionable income from employ-
month after your arrival in Norway with
pre-school day care center. You can be
ages of one and five. Submit an applica-
benefit. It is a requirement that you
ment for at least six of the last ten months
the child. If the child is born in Norway
paid cash-for-care benefit for maximum
tion for a place at a pre-school day care
cannot be assigned different tasks or that
before the benefit period starts. Previous
after you have registered in the National
11 months.
centre on a separate form that is avail-
other arrangements cannot be made.
employment relationships in EEA coun-
Register, child benefit is granted auto-
tries can be included if the most recent
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
matically. Child benefit is granted until
Citizens of EEA countries who work in
or the municipality. Rates and admission
able from the relevant day care centre
Among other things, this applies to:
employment relationship was in Norway.
the month before the child turns 18.
Norway while their family remains in their
requirements may vary from one day care
Work with chemical substances
You can choose between 100 per cent
If you are a single parent, you may,
home country may be entitled to this ben-
centre to another. Admissions usually
Physically tiring work
parental benefit for 47 weeks or 80 per
on certain conditions, be entitled to
efit pursuant to special regulations.
take place once a year.
Stressful work
cent for 57 weeks. Three weeks before
child benefit for one more child than
Psychosocial conditions
and six weeks after the birth are reserved
you actually have.
For further information about
pre-school day care centres,

contact your local municipality.
for the mother. Twelve weeks are reserved for the father (fathers quota). The
Citizens of EEA countries who work in
rest of the benefit period may be shared
Norway while their families remain in their
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
between the parents. Certain conditions
home country may be entitled to child
apply to the mother if the father is to be
benefit pursuant to special regulations.
entitled to a parental benefit that is not

part of the paternal quota. She must, for
For rates and further information,
example, be in work or studying. The
go to www.nav.no or contact your
parental benefit is limited to six times the
NAV Local Services.
National Insurance basic amount.

If the mother receives a disability pension,
the father can be paid parental benefit
for twelve weeks without any conditions
applying to the mother.
53
The day care centre/school system

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
54
Pre-school
day care centres
Primary school
Lower secondary
school
age 0 5 years
age 6 12 years
age 13 15 years
age over 16 years
Voluntary service
Own payment
Right and obligation

Free
Right and obligation

Free
A right but not

an obligation
Free
SFO (Before and afterschool programme)

age 6 9 years
Voluntary service
Own payment
55
Upper secondary
school
Children up to five years of age may attend pre-school day care

centres. It is a voluntary service that provides children with a place to
stay while their parents are at work. Parents must pay for their children
to attend pre-school day care centres. Education for children between
the ages of 6 and 15 is compulsory. It is divided into primary school
(age 6 to 12) and lower secondary school (age 13 to 15). All children
in Norway are entitled and obliged to attend primary/lower secondary
education. Tuition is free. Children between the ages of six and nine
may attend a before and after-school programme. This is a voluntary service and parents must pay a share of the costs. Anyone who
has completed primary/lower secondary education is entitled to three
years of upper secondary education. This tuition is voluntary. Upper
secondary education is also free in Norway.
Good advice for parents

Pre-school day care centres
1. Accompany the child to the day care centre
and talk to the staff.
2. Ask whether you can spend a day at the day
care centre.
3. Notify the staff if anything special happens in the family.
4. Remember clothes for all kinds of weather and
a packed lunch.
5. Get to know the other parents.
Primary and lower secondary school

1. Notify the school if something happens that may affect the
childs life or health.
2. Help the children to be on time for school. Accompany
them if necessary.
3. The children must take part in all types of tuition whatever
the weather, so remember suitable clothes.
4. Attend meetings and events at school.
5. Get to know the neighbourhood.
The children spend a lot of time outside, both at the pre-school day care centre and at school.
They must be properly dressed, and they are allowed to run around and climb.
The school system

Primary and lower secondary schools
56
Before and after-school

programme
Parent-teacher cooperation
Upper secondary school
All children in Norway must attend school
Pupils attending primary or lower second-
All municipalities must offer a before and
It is important that the school and parents
Young people who have completed
Students attending upper secondary
for ten years. The first ten years of the
ary school who have a first language
after-school programme from the first to
cooperate on childrens learning. Dialogue
primary/lower secondary education or
school who have a first language other
Norwegian school system is called
other than Norwegian or Sami are entitled
the fourth grade, and for children with
between parents and the school is there-
similar, are entitled to three years of upper
than Norwegian or Sami have a right to
grunnskole, which comprises primary
to adapted education in Norwegian. This
special needs from the first to the seventh
fore closer in Norway than in other coun-
secondary education. After completing
adapted education in Norwegian. The
and lower secondary education. Children
right applies until the child is sufficiently
grade. This means that children can stay
tries. Usually, the parents and teachers of
three years of upper secondary educa-
right applies until they are sufficiently
start school in August of the year in
proficient in Norwegian to follow normal
in school before and after school, while
a class get together twice a year, and this
tion, students will have higher educa-
proficient in Norwegian to follow normal
which they turn six. All children staying in
teaching at the school.
their parents are at work. The before and
is called a parent-teacher meeting. In ad-
tion entrance qualifications, a vocational
teaching at the school.
57
after-school programme must facilitate
dition, the contact teacher/school invites
qualification or lower-level qualifications.
entitled and obliged to attend school. If
Pupils who do not or are unable to benefit
play, cultural and recreational activities
each pupils parents to a parent/teacher
Everyone has a right to be accepted for
Students who do not or are unable to
the child has not been in Norway for three
satisfactorily from ordinary tuition are
adapted to the childrens age, functional
talk twice a year. The teacher informs the
one of the three alternative education pro-
benefit satisfactorily from ordinary tuition
months, but is likely to stay in the country
entitled to special education. This applies
level and interests. The before and after-
parents about their childs progress at
grammes they apply for, and to two years
are entitled to special education. This ap-
for more than three months, the child is
regardless of why special education is
school programme must provide good
school, and the parents are asked about
of additional education that builds on the
plies regardless of why special education
entitled to go to school. All public primary/
required.
development opportunities for children
their view of the childs development.
education programme. To be admitted
is required. Students entitled to special
Norway for more than three months are
lower secondary education is free.
to a university or a university college you
education may be entitled to secondary
The school expects parents to attend
need higher education entrance qualifica-
education for an additional two years. The
with disabilities.
Help with homework
If you are the parent of a child of
Pupils in years 1-4 are entitled to partici-
Municipalities may request that parents
these talks at school. Parents receive
tions. A vocational qualification does not
same applies to students who are entitled
primary/lower secondary school age,
pate in free organised homework assis-
help cover costs by paying for the before
notice in advance. If you need an
entitle you to admission to a university or
to adapted education in Norwegian.
you must contact your local school
tance. Participation is voluntary.
and after-school programme. The price
interpreter, please contact the school.
a university college. Students who have
or your municipality to register your
varies from one municipality to the next.
child at the school.

Contact your local municipality to
completed vocational training can take
a supplementary course to gain higher
www.vilbli.no.
education entrance qualifications.
Compulsory education is divided into two
find out how much the before and
main parts. The first seven years (first to
after-school programme costs and
Students have a right to free upper
seventh grade) are called primary school
what the opening hours are.
secondary education, but they may be
and the next three years are called lower
required to cover the costs of necessary
secondary school (eight to tenth grade).
equipment.
The school system

School transport
Higher education
Primary school and lower and upper
Mother tongue tuition is tuition in the pu-
Norway has seven universities, 27
Here you can search for a study pro-
The Norwegian State Educational Loan
Citizens from EEA/EFTA countries are
secondary school pupils are entitled to
pils native language, while bilingual tuition
university colleges and five specialised,
gramme by entering your own keywords,
Fund (Lnekassen) is a government
eligible for support if they are employees
free school transport if the distance to the
in school subjects means that tuition is
state-owned university institutions. In
selecting an area of education, a place of
agency that provides financial support to
in Norway, and if there is a professional
school is more than:
given in two languages.
addition, Norway has a variety of private
learning and/or a discipline area.
students. The support is given as grants
connection between their work in Norway
and loans. A grant is money that is given
and the education they are applying for
to you, while a loan must be repaid.
support for. Family members of EEA or
2 km for pupils in the first grade
58
The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund
institutions for higher education.

If you have an education from your home
4 km for pupils in the second
The school must establish and assess
to tenth grades
whether or not the pupil has sufficient
In Norway, students must pay a small fee
country, you can get information about
6 km for upper secondary
Norwegian skills, and thereby what tuition
each semester. The semester fee is paid
which foreign qualifications satisfy the re-
Who is eligible for support?
for support from the Norwegian State
school students
the pupil is entitled to. The school princi-
to the student welfare organisation at the
quirements for higher education entrance
Foreign nationals may be eligible for
Educational Loan Fund.
qualifications at www.nokut.no.
support from the Norwegian State
pal makes an individual decision stating
educational institution. The purpose of
Primary school pupils (first to tenth grade)
whether the pupil is entitled to special tui-
the fee is to cover expenses relating to
are entitled to school transport regard-
tion in Norwegian, mother tongue tuition
the students welfare needs at their place
less of distance if the road is particularly
and/or bilingual tuition in school subjects.
of learning. The amount varies from one
dangerous or difficult.
If, as a pupil or parent, you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can appeal
Special language tuition
Educational Loan Fund if they have been
To apply, you must have:
You can also ask Samordna opptak for
granted asylum or a residence permit on
A residence permit
an assessment of your education. They
humanitarian grounds, if they are married
(does not apply to Nordic citizens)
place of study to another, but it rarely
will assess foreign qualifications in relation
to a Norwegian citizen or have come to
A Norwegian personal identity number
exceeds NOK 500.
to the requirements for higher education
Norway through family reunification. You
An offer of a place at
entrance qualifications in Norway and any
may also be eligible for support if you
a university/university college
specific entrance requirements.
have had continuous full-time employ-
An account in a Norwegian bank
it to the County Governor in the county

where you live.
EFTA employees may also be eligible
The Norwegian Universities

and Colleges Admission
ment for at least 24 months prior to
Pupils in primary/lower secondary school
For newly arrived minority language pupils
Service
becoming a student and you have paid
More information is available at
and upper secondary school are enti-
who are entitled to special language
The Norwegian Universities and Colleges
Norwegian taxes during this period, or
www.lanekassen.no/
tled to special tuition in the Norwegian
tuition, the school owner can choose
Admission Service (Samordna opptak)
if you have completed three years of
language, tuition in their mother tongue
whether to offer special tuition organised
coordinates admission to study pro-
education in Norway without any support
What kind of support can
and/or bilingual tuition in school subjects
in separate groups, classes or schools.
grammes at all universities and university
from the Norwegian State Educational
I apply for?
if they do not have sufficient Norwegian
The purpose of such introductory tuition
colleges in Norway.
Loan Fund.
The support from the Norwegian State
skills to follow ordinary tuition. Special
is to teach the pupils sufficient Norwegian
tuition in Norwegian consists of extra
for them to benefit from ordinary teach-
A complete list of the 1,229 study pro-
grant and a loan that will cover the costs
tuition in the Norwegian language.
ing. Participation in such introductory
grammes for which you can apply is
of studying in Norway. A grant is money
tuition is voluntary.
available at www.samordnaopptak.no.
that is given to you; a loan must be
Educational Loan Fund consists of a
59
Assistance for children and families

Family counselling services
60
Mediation
Womens shelters
repaid. The support you receive (grant
The purpose of family counselling ser-
All the counties in Norway have at least
It is also the task of child welfare services
Family counselling offices also medi-
A womens shelter is a place you can
and loan) depends on what kind of
vices is to help those who need to talk
one family counselling office. Offices
to help children in difficult situations.
ate in connection with separation or the
contact if you are a victim of violence, of if
education programme you are taking and
about difficult issues and family conflicts.
are organised under the Norwegian
Child welfare services assess each case
breakdown of relationships. All married
you know somebody who is. The shelter
where. The support may also depend on
Most people who come to a family coun-
Directorate for Children, Youth and Family
individually to see if the child needs help.
couples with joint children under the age
offers advice and guidance to victims of
your or your parents income and wealth.
selling office seek advice about everyday
Affairs. Find your local office at
Getting help from child welfare services
of 16 must undergo mediation when they
violence, abuse, threats, forced marriage,
You are only allowed to earn a certain
problems. You can contact your local
www.bufetat.no.
is not a universal right. Norwegian law
separate. Cohabiting parents who end
human trafficking etc. Both you and your
amount when you receive a grant from
family counselling office without a referral
states that child welfare services can
their relationship, must also seek media-
children can stay there if you need pro-
the Norwegian State Educational Loan
from a doctor. Counselling is free, and the
take action if they suspect that a child
tion. This is compulsory in Norway.
tection and support. There is a womens
Fund. If your income level or wealth is too
offices have access to interpreters.
high or if you receive National Insurance

benefits, your grant may be converted to
Family counselling services offer coun-
a loan. If you have children with residence
selling and advice in all phases of life.
permits with whom you live in Norway,
Examples are couples who wish to work
you can get a grant to support them.
on their relationship, couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship,
Use the support calculator at www.
cases of problems between children and
lanekassen.no to calculate how big
their parents, conflicts between different
a loan you are entitled to.
family cultures, forced marriage, when

there is a risk of genital mutilation or geni-
How do I apply?
tal mutilation has taken place, domestic
Submit your application online using
violence etc.
Child welfare services

The task of the Norwegian child welfare
services is to assist parents in giving their
children the best possible upbringing.
Child welfare services support and assist
children and families in different ways.
For example, they give parents advice on
how to take better care of their children,
arrange visit homes for children and other
types of respite. Child welfare services
help more than 40,000 children in Norway
every year.
is suffering at home. In a few cases, for
shelter in every county, most of them
example if the childs health and welfare
The purpose of mediation is to help
are open all day every day. Anyone who
is endangered, child welfare services
families to agree on parental responsibili-
contacts a womens shelter is guaranteed
may move the child out of the home,
ties and the childrens situation in the time
full anonymity. Most of the shelters have
usually to a new family or to a child wel-
ahead, where the children are to live and
access to interpreting services.
fare institution.
how much time they will spend with the

parent they do not live with.
A list of shelters with phone numbers
If the parents do not agree to the child
is available at www.krisesenter.com
being taken from the home, they are
and www.krisesenterforbund.no.
entitled to legal aid. The case must then

be settled by an independent body (the
Further information about womens
County Social Welfare Board).
shelters is available at www.bufdir.

no. Here you will also find brochures
Child welfare services are present in
about the shelters, which are avail-
Family counselling offices also offer
every municipality in Norway. Further
able in several different languages.
Information about documentation
various courses and groups relating to
information about child welfare ser-
requirements, grants and application
family and relationship issues, such as
vices is available on your municipal-
deadlines is available at
relationship-building courses, courses for
itys website or at www.bufetat.no.
www.lankassen.no/english.
first-time parents, and courses for parents
MinID (MyID) at www.norge.no/minid.
of children with disabilities.
61
Health services
Illness
Membership of
the Norwegian
National Insurance
Scheme................... 64
Self-certified
sickness absence..... 71
About healthe
services.................. 64
Sickness benefit...... 71
Patient charges/
exemption cards..... 65
Sick leave................ 71
Health
Prenatal care........... 66
- Childbirth................ 66
Primary doctor........ 66
62
How do
doctors
appointments
take place?........... 67
63
Primary doctor,
accident and
emergency
department,
or call 113?............. 68
Accident and
emergency
department............. 68
Hospitals................. 68
Medicine/
pharmacies............. 68
Preventive health
services.................. 68
Physiotherapy......... 69
Dental services....... 69
European health
insurance card......... 69
Health personnels
duty of
confidentiality........ 70
This section contains information about what the

National Insurance scheme is, how the Norwegian
public health service is organised, the rules that apply
to the different health services in Norway, and what
you should do if you are ill and unable to work.
Health services
Membership of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
About health services
The public social security system in
As an employee, you pay a national
Municipalities are responsible for provid-
Municipal health services are financed
As a member of the National Insurance
The exemption card for user fee 2 covers
Norway is called the Norwegian National
insurance contribution of 7.8 per cent of
ing necessary health services for their
by the government through the National
scheme, you only pay a fixed part of
approved patient charges paid for physi-
Insurance Scheme (folketrygden). To
your gross income. The contribution is
inhabitants including immigrants, refu-
Insurance scheme, municipal funds and
the cost of public health services, called
otherapy, certain dental diseases,
be entitled to benefits, you must be
deducted together with tax.
gees and asylum seekers. Among other
patient charges. Health care in specialist
patient charges. This applies to medical
approved rehabilitation institutions and
things, the municipalities shall provide:
services is financed by the government
treatment, buying medicines on a refund-
travel for treatment abroad organised by
Some employees may be exempt from
public health centres for children and
through grants to the health authori-
able prescription, physiotherapy, seeing a
Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet
the Norwegian National Insurance
young people, a school health
ties, the National Insurance scheme and
psychologist and travel expenses to con-
HF. To receive an exemption card for user
This applies to:
Scheme because they belong to a social
service, care during pregnancy and
patient charges.
sultations and treatment appointments. If
fee group 2, you must submit an applica-
all benefits from NAV
security scheme in their home coun-
post-natal care,
you have paid a certain amount in patient
tion to the Health Economic Administration
health service benefits (treatment
try.You must document this with a certifi-
a general practitioner (GP) service,
Children under the age of 16 do not pay
charges, you are eligible for an exemp-
(HELFO) and enclose the receipt from the
by a doctor, psychologist or expendi-
cate from the national insurance authori-
an accident and emergency service,
patient charges (user fees) for health care
tion card. This means you are exempt
person/institution treating you.
ture on medicines of major importance
ties in the country you come from.
rehabilitation,
that is covered by the upper limit for user
from paying patient charges for the rest
health and care services, such
fee group 1: approved patient charges
of the calendar year. There are two types
Exemption from the payment
a member of the Norwegian National

Insurance Scheme.
64
in long-term use)
Patient charges/exemption cards
If you have any questions about
as home nursing care, personal
paid to doctors, psychologists and
of exemption cards. The amounts are set
of patient charges
If you have legal employment in Norway,
membership of the National
assistance, nursing homes and
outpatient clinics and for x-ray, patient
annually by the Norwegian parliament,
Among other things, you will be ex-
you will, as a rule, become a member
Insurance Scheme, contact your
respite services.
travel and blue prescription medicineand
the Storting.
empted from patient charges in connec-
of the National Insurance scheme from
NAV Local Services.
tion with the following: check-ups during
equipment.
your first working day even if you are not
County authorities are responsible for
The exemption card for user fee group
pregnancy, examinations and treatment
deemed to be resident here. Membership
ensuring that dental health care services,
Further information about health
1 covers approved patient charges paid
of children under the age of 16, psycho-
is automatic.
including specialist services, are available
services, patient rights and treatment
to doctors, psychologists and outpatient
therapeutic treatment of children and
to all permanent or temporary residents
is available at www.helsenorge.no
clinics and for x-rays, patient travel and
young people under the age of 18, infec-
blue prescription medicine and equip-
tious diseases that are a danger to public
ment. The exemption card for user fee
health or suspicion of such diseases.
of the country.
The regional health authorities shall
group 1 will automatically be sent to your
ensure that everyone who lives or is stay-
registered address in the Population
Further information about patient
ing temporarily in the health region has
Register when you become entitled to it.
charges and exemption cards is
access to health services at hospitals and
Keep receipts for control purposes.
available at www.helfo.no or call
from specialists.
Frikorttelefonen 815 70 050.
65
Health services
66
How do doctors appointments take place?
Prenatal care
Primary doctor
Pregnant women can attend pregnancy
Everyone who is resident in a Norwegian
medical specialists and physiotherapists.
check-ups at a public health centre or at
municipality is entitled to be registered
You must pay a consultation fee when
their primary doctors. Public health cen-
as a patient with a primary doctor (GP).
you visit your primary doctor, unless you
tres provide pregnancy check-ups with a
This means everyone who is registered
have an exemption card.
midwife. It is possible to combine preg-
in the Population Register as resident
nancy check-ups at both a health centre
in a Norwegian municipality. In addition,
If the patient does not speak Norwegian
and with your primary doctor. From the
asylum seekers and their family members
or English, he/she is entitled to use an
17th to the 19th week of pregnancy, the
are also entitled to be registered with a
interpreter. Notify your doctor in advance
local maternity department offers a free
primary doctor (GP). The right lapses if
if you need an interpreter. Health per-
ultrasound scan. Pregnancy check-ups
the asylum application is rejected. The
sonnel are responsible for organising an
are exempt from patient charges.
regular GP scheme is voluntary, but if you
interpreter if necessary.
67
Are you ill and need to see a doctor?
Childbirth
to find a doctor yourself if you need treat-
Labour immigrants who are not registered
Childbirth usually takes place in a hospital
ment and the patient charge you have to
as residing in a Norwegian municipal-
or maternity clinic to which the preg-
pay will also be higher. Only 0.4 per cent
ity are not entitled to a primary doctor.
nant woman has been referred. It is free
of the Norwegian populationhave chosen
However, anyone in need of emergency
to remain outside the scheme. The GP
Call your primary doctor to book
The doctor will examine you.
an appointment. Be there on time,
choose to remain outside it, you will have
to stay in hospital in connection with
preferably five minutes early.
you primarily wish to have as your regular
danger) will receive this care irrespective
discharged from the hospital after two to
GP may not have sufficient capacity to
of their residence status.
four days.
take on more patients. In such case,
T FOR
INGSKOR EG
KVITTER LAR I NOR
EIGENDE
Kr
health care (when their life or health is in
childbirth. As a rule, mother and child are
RYGDA
FOLKET
ak
Utgiftst
Gjeld for
20
nummer
Fdsels
Namn
r som
g
tonumme
Bankkon ast ved utbetalin
beskjer
skal bruk
ar nr du krev eit
g
eigendel
e
ring for
/psykolo
til kvitte
godkjend
om lege
brukast
stig dei
ek. Sjlv
Kortet skal olog og apot belp som over
re
lege, psyk p, kan ikkje
taten kvitte
bel
kortet.
velferdse avtale med
hgare
frast p
ids- og
ane,
tt
eigendel
r skal Arbe som har inng ndel ved reise
eige
ar ved reise sjesjfr)
Eigendel
ere for
(dro
n.
Eigendel
kvitt
tr
isisjo
av
spor
kan g
port-rekv ikkje omfatta
for. Tran helseforetak,
ienttrans
val er
regionalt har gyldig Pasfritt sjukehus
du
dersom i samband med
ninga.
ndelsord
ved reise
a.
eige
ning
sml om
frikortord
p spr
lt svarer
e kortet.
NAV loka
av dett
RTET!
baksida
P KO
Sj g
DT VAR
TA GO
you must choose another GP. You can
If you wish to register with a regular
change your regular GP twice a year.
GP or change your GP, please call

HELFOs regular GP scheme service
A regular GP is responsible for examin-
line on tel. 810 59 500 or visit www.
ing, diagnosing and treating the patients
helfo.no. You can find more informa-
on his/her list, and this also includes
tion about the regular GP scheme at
prescribing medication and issuing sick
www.helfo.no or www.fastlegen.no.
notes. The regular GP is also responsible

for referring patients to hospitals, other
If you need medicine to get better, the
Pay the patient charge at your doctors
Go to a pharmacy to pick up the prescribed
doctor will write out a prescription for you.
office and record the expenses on your
medicine. Show your prescription at the
patient charge card.
pharmacy and record your expenses on the

patient charge card.
Health services
GP, accident and emergency
department or call 113?
68
Primary doctor: See your primary doctor about general health problems or to be referred to a specialist.
Accident and emergency

department
Medicine/pharmacies
Physiotherapy
Dental services
European health insurance card
Accident and emergency departments are
In Norway, medicine is sold at pharmacies.
Among other things, physiotherapists treat
In Norway, children under the age of 18 are
A European health insurance card enti-
staffed by doctors and nurses and can
Some medicines are freely available,
patients with muscular or skeletal illnesses
entitled to free dental care from the public
tles you to health services when staying
be contacted twenty-four hours a day,
but most medicines are prescription
or ailments. In order for your expenses
dental service. Young people between
temporarily in another EU/EEA country
every day. They are intended for patients in
drugs. A limited selection of medicine is
to be covered, the physiotherapist must
the ages of 19 and 20 are entitled to have
or in Switzerland. When you present the
need of emergency care, i.e. treatment of
available in ordinary super-
receive public funding from the municipality,
75 per cent of their dental care covered.
insurance card to the person/institution
illnesses and injuries that cannot wait until
markets. If you need vital medicine for long
and you must have a referral from a doctor,
Persons with mental disabilities and
treating you, you will be entitled to medical
the next day to be dealt with by a regular
term illnesses, the government will pay
a chiropractor or manual therapist.
persons who have lived in an institution
treatment in the country you are staying on
GP. With many GPs it is possible to book
most of what it costs. That means you only
or who have received home nursing care
the same conditions as the people living
an appointment on the same day, and it is
pay a small amount of what the medicine
You must pay a patient charge for each
continuously for at least three months are
there. This also means that you must pay
important to check this before calling the
costs, and your doctor writes out a refund-
treatment; however, the treatment of cert-
also entitled to free dental care. Adults over
the same patient charges as them. A health
accident and emergency department. You
able prescription.
ain illnesses is free. Children under the
the age of 20 must generally pay for their
insurance card does not entitle you to have
age of 12 and persons with occupa-
own dental care. Pursuant to the National
expenses covered if you travel abroad for
tional injuries are exempt from paying
Insurance Act, people with certain diseases
the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
can also ask for advice on the phone.

Preventive health services
Hospitals
Public health centres and school medical
patient charges. Approved patient
and conditions may be entitled to subsi-
charges are covered by user fee group 2.
dised dental care even after the age of 20.
To be entitled to have a European health
Accident and emergency departments: accept
Patients are treated in a hospital following
services provide health checks, vaccin-
patients in need of immediate help, i.e. treatment of ill-
a referral from your primary doctor (GP) or
ation, parental guidance and health
nesses and injuries that cannot wait until the next day.
Manual therapists are physiotherapists with
In the brochure Folketrygdens stnad
primary condition is that you are a member
an accident and emergency department
information for children and young people
a clinical Masters degree in manual therapy
til dekning av utgifter til tannbehandling
of the Norwegian National Insurance
(immediate help). You are entitled to choose
up to the age of 20 and their parents or
from a university or equivalent. In addition
(National Insurance benefits for expenses
scheme and that you are a Norwegian
which hospital you wish to be treated at.
guardians. Youth health centres provide
to administering physiotherapy and manual
related to dental care in Norwegian only),
citizen or a citizen of another EEA country
The treatment can be given as outpatient
counselling about contraceptives, among
therapy, manual therapists can also put
you will find information about how much
or Switzerland. The scheme also covers
treatment, which means that the patient is
other things.
you on sick leave for up to 12 weeks. You
of the treatment is covered by the National
family members, i.e. spouses and
do not need to be on sick leave to receive
Insurance scheme, and what illnesses
children under the age of 18, as well as
treatment from a manual therapist.
treated without being hospitalised. If the
Emergencies call 113: for life-threatening

and acute health problems.
insurance card issued in Norway, the
doctor considers that the patients condi-
All children and young people are en-
and conditions it covers. Membership
dependent children over the age of 18.
tion requires hospitalisation, the patient is
titled to health checks, and the health
of the National Insurance scheme is a
Registered partners and cohabitants with
admitted to the hospital. Hospitalisation is
centre services are free. Parents are
requirement.
joint children are deemed to be equivalent
free for members of the National Insurance
obliged to ensure that their children attend
scheme. Outpatient treatment and consul-
health checks.
tations are subject to a patient charge.
to spouses. They are entitled to European
69
Health services
70
Illness
Self-certified sickness absence
Sick leave
Sickness benefit
health insurance cards regardless of
Order your European health
the age of 16 who are not in a position
As an employee, you are entitled to
If you are sick longer than the time al-
Loss of income due to illness may entitle
citizenship and of whether they are mem-
insurance card in one of the
to consent to health care, for example
self-declared sick leave, i.e. to notify your
lowed by the self-declaration, you must
you to sickness benefit. The condition
bers of the National Insurance scheme.
following ways:
because they are unconscious, their next-
employer that you are unable to work
get in touch with your doctor in order to
is that you have been employed for at
go to www.helfo.no
of-kin may consent to health information
due to illness without having to present a
get a medical certificate. If the doctor
least four weeks before sick leave begins.
The European health insurance card
write SMS with the wordKORT
being disclosed to others.
medical certificate. The main rule is that
regards sick leave necessary, he/she will
Your are entitled to sickness benefit for a
is a plastic card the size of a regular
(space) your personal identity number (11
self-declared sick leave can be used for
issue a medical certificate for the required
maximum of 52 weeks. The illness must
bank card. If you are a member of the
digits) and send it to 26626
Health personnel may disclose confiden-
up to three calendar days at a time.
period.
be documented by a self-declaration or
National Insurance scheme and are stay-
call HELFOs service centre on tel. 815
tial information to other health personnel
ing temporarily in another EEA country
70 030 or (+47) 33 51 22 80
if this is necessary in order to give the
For more than three calendar days you
The doctor will also assess whether full
sickness benefit from your first day of
patient adequate health care.
must present a medical certificate from
sick leave (100 per cent) is required, or
absence. The employer pays the sick-
a doctor. Self-declared sick leave can be
whether you are able to perform some
ness benefit for the first 16 days, after
Regardless of the duty of confidentiality,
used four times in the course of a 12-
of your work and only need partial sick
which the Norwegian National Insurance
health personnel have a duty to inform
month period.
leave. For example you may be on 50 per
scheme takes over.
or in Switzerland, you should take your

European health insurance card with you.
The scheme also covers family members,
i.e. spouses and children under the age
of 25. Each family member must carry
their own European health insurance
card. The insurance card is issued for
three years, provided that conditions are
still met. The card holder is obliged to
report any changes that may influence
their right to use the card.
Health personnels duty

of confidentiality
Heath personnel are bound by a duty
of confidentiality. This means that they
must prevent information about patients
health or other personal matters from
being disclosed to others. The duty of
confidentiality also applies to the patients
next-of-kin, but parents are entitled to
information about children under the age
of 16 years for whom they have parental
responsibility.
A patient may nonetheless consent to
health personnel disclosing confidential
information. Parents may consent to
information being disclosed when a child
is under the age of 16. For persons over
a medical certificate. You are entitled to
cent sick leave and work 50 per cent of
the child welfare service if there is reason

to believe that a child is being abused at
You must have been employed for at
the time. The employer shall adjust your
For more information, see
home, or that there are other forms of
least two months to be entitled to take
duties if necessary, and follow you up
serious neglect. Health personnel also
self-certified sick leave. The conditions
while on sick leave.
have a duty to notify the police or the fire
for self-certified sick leave may differ. Ask
service if this is necessary in order to pre-
your employer about the rules in your
vent serious injury to persons or damage
workplace.
to property.
When the duty of confidentiality is set
aside, the patient is in most cases entitled
to be informed about who the information
has been disclosed to and what information has been disclosed.
on tel. (+47) 55 55 33 33.
71
72
Voluntary groups
and organisations
Local recreational
activities
Voluntary groups
and organisations... 74
- Voluntary work....... 74
Local recreational
activities................. 76
- Music and
culture schools...... 76
- Local sports
clubs......................... 76
- Cultural
activities................. 76
How to join
a group/an
organisation
in your
municipality......... 75
Library.................... 77
Public rights
of access
Public rights
of access................. 77

Fishing
Hunting
Fishing.................... 78
- Fishing
lincence fee............ 78
Hunting................... 80
- Hunting licence
test........................... 80
Common sense
at sea...................... 79
The Norwegian
Mountain Code........ 81
Recreational
activities
73
Good advice to
boat drivers............ 79
This section contains information about cultural facilities and

recreational activities, voluntary groups and organisations,
and the rules that apply to hunting and fishing and outdoor
pursuits/rights of way in the countryside.
Voluntary groups and organisations

How to join an organisation/sports club in your municipality?
Voluntary groups and organisations

There are over 115,000 organisations in
You can also contact your municipalitys
Norway. More than 84 per cent of the
culture department if you would like infor-
population is a member of one or more
mation about voluntary groups or organi-
organisations. There are many different
sations, or if you wish to join a group or
types of organisations in Norway, rang-
an organisation in your local area.
....fotballag, hndballag, speider,

ishockeylag, musikkskoler, korps,
basketballag, friidrettsklubber,
orientering, fritidsklubber....
ing from religious communities, Scout
74
Associations, brass bands, sports clubs
Voluntary work
to humanitarian organisations.
Voluntary work is the pillar of most organi-
75
sations in Norway. Almost two thirds of all

In Norway, anyone can join a group or
the work that is carried out by voluntary
an organisation. Most organisations
organisations is unpaid. More than half
Contact your municipalitys culture
Obtain contact information about
Find out where and when the activity
the adult population performs voluntary
department for an overview of groups
groups/organisations that you or your
takes place.
and organisations.
children wish to join.
require a membership fee.
work during the course of a year, which is

The Association of NGOs in Norway
record-high in the international context.
(Frivillighet Norge) is an umbrella organisation with more than 200 member
Many voluntary groups and organisations
organisations.
fund part of their operations through lott-
eries, the sale of hot dogs and cakes at

Its website www.frivillighetnorge.no
events etc. As a member, you should be
contains information about voluntary
prepared to take part in such voluntary
groups and organisations.
efforts.
Turn up/bring your child to the activity.
Talk to the leader/coach.
Pay the membership fee using the giro

that you receive by post.
Local recreational activities
Public rights of access
Local recreational activities
Public rights of access
The recreational activities in municipali-
For further information, contact the
For further information about local
All the municipalities have public libraries.
In Norway, everyone is entitled to walk in
Public right of way means that you can
ties range from organised, semi-profes-
culture department in your local
sports clubs in your municipal-
The libraries are for everyone regard-
the forests and mountains and enjoy the
wander in nature, and it also entitles you
sional activities, entertainment events,
municipality, or visit the municipal-
ity, please contact the culture
less of age, language and any functional
seaside and the coast, regardless of who
to pick wild berries, mushrooms and
training centres, associations, courses,
itys website.
department.
impairment. You can borrow books,
owns the land. This is known as public
flowers anywhere that is considered to
videos, DVDs, CDs, magazines, ect. at
right of way, and it is an important pre-
be outlying land. You can also put up
restaurants to social meeting places.
76
Library
Local sports club
Cultural activities
the library. The libraries also lend books
condition for outdoor pursuits in Norway.
a tent. Remember that the distance to
Many Norwegian municipalities give spe-
Organised sports are a deeply-rooted
Most municipalities also offer various cul-
and literature in foreign languages and
However, there is a difference between
the nearest house or cabin must be 150
cial focus to activities for children and
tradition in Norway. Many children and
tural activities for adults, such as theatre,
you can have use of a computer with
outlying land and infields. Beaches,
metres. If you want to stay more than two
young people in order to provide them
young people belong to sports clubs.
lectures, debates, cinema etc. The
internet access. Library services are free.
rocky shores, lakes, bogs, hills, forests
nights in one place, you must obtain the
with a good environment in which to
Approximately 12,500 local sports
cultural activities on offer vary from one
Opening hours and services vary from
and mountains are examples of outly-
landowners permission. In the mountains
grow up. The municipality often supports
clubs are members of the umbrella
municipality to another. Many municipali-
one municipality to the next.
ing land. Infields are plots of land around
or other desolate areas considered to
activities such as before and after-school
organisation for Norwegian sports,
ties draw up a culture calendar for a
homes or land pertaining to houses and
be outlying land, you can put up a tent
programmes, youth clubs, sports clubs,
the Norwegian Olympic Committee
certain period of time, such as three or
For detailed information, contact your
holiday homes, all cultivated land, fields,
without permission. However, you must
culture schools and associations for
and Confederation of Sports (Norges
six months.
municipalitys culture department.
meadows, and similar areas. You can
always treat nature with respect and care
small children.
idrettsforbund og olympiske og para-
move around freely in places that are
and show consideration for the owner

and other people nearby.
lympiske komit), which is the countrys
For further information about the
considered to be outlying land, but the
Music and cultural schools
largest organisation for children and
cultural activities on offer in your
rules are stricter for infields.
Culture schools offer children dance,
young people. Norwegian sports clubs
municipality, please contact the
With the exception of fishing for saltwater
music, theatre and art classes. The
are open to everyone. The activities take
culture department.
fish and hunting for huntable marine spe-
culture schools are usually municipal, but
place on the childrens terms and all
cies, hunting and fishing is not a public
they can also be organised as collabora-
children are included regardless of their
right.
tions between two or more municipali-
ambitions and needs. The goal is for the
ties. The municipalities often cover part
children to enjoy themselves and have
of the expenses related to the activities
fun with their friends. Parents must pay a
at the culture school, but parents must
membership fee for their children to join
also pay a share of the costs. The price
a sports club.
varies from one municipality to another.
77
Common sense at sea
Boat driving tips
Fishing
Please be aware of the following:
Remember to use a life jacket! The skip-
per and the person lending/renting out

the boat are both responsible for ensur-
Fishing
ing that the boat is in order and that there

Fishing in salt water is a public right,
From 1 January 2010, minimum sizes
and it is free. Fishing in rivers and lakes
for fish apply to recreational fishing.
and in fresh water is not free. The fishing
Familiarise yourself with the minimum
rights in rivers and lakes belong to the
sizes applicable in the region in which you
landowners and you can only fish with
plan to fish. You can order a brochure
their permission, for example by buying a
with minimum sizes for fish by sending an
fishing permit.
e-mail to: info@fiskeridir.no.
are life jackets or other approved floatation devices for everyone on board the
vessel. If such equipment is lacking, the
Think safety:
knowledge and planning
reduces risks and increases
enjoyment
78
Fishing permits can be purchased in the
Fishing lincence fee
vicinity of fishing spots, from the land-
If you are older than 16 and want to fish
owner, in sports shops, tourist information
for salmon, sea trout or sea char, or use
offices, campsites etc. Children under
fixed equipment to fish in the sea, you
the age of 16 can fish for freshwater fish
must pay a fishing licence fee in addition
from 1 January to 20 August, but they
to buying a fishing permit.
must also buy a fishing permit to fish

for salmon, sea trout, and sea char. The
You can pay the fishing licence fee at
fishing permit often contains information
www.inatur.no. It is also possible to pay
about where and when you are allowed
the fee at a post office, via your online
to fish. Usually, you can choose between
bank or you can also use your mobile
a day permit, a two-day permit, a week
phone to pay the fee by sending an SMS
permit or a season permit.
(send INATUR to 2470).
Bring the necessary

equipment:
the equipment must be kept in
good working order and must
be easily accessible
Respect weather and

fairways :
the boat must only be used
in suitable conditions
skipper can be fined NOK 500 for each

person who lacks a life jacket.
If you were born after 1 January 1980,
you must have a certificate of boatman-
ship in order to drive a pleasure craft of

more than eight metres in length or with
an engine bigger than 25 horsepower.
The driver of a pleasure craft that can
0,8
Observe the rules

of seafaring:
the rules regarding the duty to
give way, speed and the use of
lights must be observed
Use a lifejacket
or a life vest
approved flotation devices
are required for everyone
on board
Be alert and sober :

the prescribed blood alcohol
limit is 0.8 mg/ml when in
charge of a boat
engine bigger than ten hp must be over

16 years of age.
Keep a safe distance from fish farms. No
boat traffic is permitted closer than 20
metres from fish farms and it is forbidden
to fish closer than 100 metres from such
*
Show consideration :
safety, the environment
and enjoyment are a shared
responsibility
go faster than ten knots or that has an
farms. Violation of this rule may result in
Be prepared for the eventuality of an

accident, and think about how you
should react: stay calm, stay by the
boat and call for help.
a fine.
The speed limit in the harbour basin is
five knots. Exceeding the speed limit can
result in a fine of NOK 1,500.
79
The Norwegian Mountain Code
Hunting
The weather conditions in the mountains change rapidly, and it is important to
be prepared for bad weather. Whether you are an experienced hiker or not, it
is important to keep the mountain code in mind when you are hiking.
Hunting
80
In Norway, only a few species may be
Hunting licence test
hunted, and hunting is limited to certain
Hunters from other countries, who have
times of the year. You must therefore
completed a course and passed a test
check the hunting season for the species
equivalent to the Norwegian hunting
you want to hunt. Information about
licence test, can get a Norwegian hunting
hunting seasons is available at www.
card and be registered in the Norwegian
dirnat.no. If you are going hunting
Register of Hunters. To be registered in
somewhere other than on the fjord
the Register of Hunters, send your foreign
or at sea, you need the permission of
hunting card or equivalent documenta-
the landowner.
tion to the Register of Hunters with your
ML
START
Do not go off on a long walk

without proper experience.
Leave word of your route.
81
Be weatherwise.
Learn from experienced

hikers.
name, date of birth and address. The

To hunt in Norway, you also need to
documentation must be translated into
pass a hunting licence test. Once you
Norwegian. If you satisfy similar hunting
have passed the test, you must register
requirements in Norway as in your home
in the Norwegian Register of Hunters.
country, you will not have to retake the
Only hunters registered in the Norwegian
shooting test for game hunting.
Register of Hunters, and who have paid

a hunting licence fee for the current year,
are allowed to hunt.
Be equipped for bad weather
and low temperatures even
on short hikes. Always take a
rucksack and proper mountain
gear. Use map and compass.
Do not go solo.
Turn back in time. There is no

disgrace in turning back.
Conserve energy and build

a snow-shelter if necessary.
Motor vehicles
Motor vehicles
Public transport
Bank services
Insurance
Using a foreign
driving licence........ 84
Annual Motor Vehicle

Tax.......................... 90
Periodic
roadworthiness
test......................... 90
- The test.................... 90
- Who performs
the test.................... 90
Local transport........ 96
Accounts................. 98
Long-distance
travel...................... 97
- Train.......................... 97
- Express buses......... 97
- Plain.......................... 97
Bank card................ 98
General
insurance..............104
Car insurance........104
- Liability
insurance..............104
- Reduced
own damages
insurance..............104
- Comprehensive
motor insurance...104
- Legal expenses
insurance..............104
Using a car registered

abroad.................... 84
Car insurance.......... 85
Car loan.................. 85
First-time registration
of a used, imported
vehicle.................... 86
Re-registration when
purchasing a used
vehicle in Norway....89
82
Important dates
for motor vehicle
owners.................... 91
Traffic rules............. 92
Parking................... 93
Payment services.... 99
How do
I open a bank
account?.............100
Transferring
money to another
country.................101
Bank loans............101
- Consumer loans...101
Toll roads................ 93
- How do you pay
road toll?................. 94
Mortgages.............101
Violation of rules
and regulations....... 95
- Penalty charges/
infringement fine...95
- Fixed penalties....... 95
- Penalty notice........ 95
- Unconditional/
suspended prison
sentences................ 95
- Disqualification
from driving............ 95
Debt......................102
- Debt settlement
arrangements.......102
In case of traffic
accident.................. 95
Car loans...............102
Home-owner's
insurance..............105
Personal
insurance..............105
83
Home contents
insurance..............106
Travel insurance....106
Finansportalen......106
Telecommunication
Buying a mobile
phone...................107
Telefon-/internet
subscription..........107
TV licence fee.......108
Postal services......108
Public services
online...................109
- Norge.no................109
This section contains information about regulations and

legislation relating to the use of a foreign drivers licence and
a foreign-registered car. You will learn about driving and owning
a car and how public transport is organised. Several financial and
communication services are also described.
Important
application forms
1. Application for temporary
permission to drive motor vehicle
in Norway (RD 0036)
2. Foreign-registered company
car driving permit (RD 0048)
Motor vehicles
Using a foreign driving licence
EEA/EU
Driving licences from EEA/EU countries
can be used in Norway.
84
If you wish to settle in Norway and come

from a country outside the EEA/EU area,
different rules apply to the exchange of
driving licences depending on what country you are from.
Japan, Switzerland
If you have a driving licence from Japan
or Switzerland, you can exchange it for a
Norwegian driving licence without having
to sit a practical test. You must exchange your foreign driving licence within
one year of registering as a resident of
Norway.
All other countries outside the EEA
Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel,

Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino,
South Korea, USA
If you come from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Hong
Kong, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, San
Marino, South Korea or the USA, you
can exchange your driving licence for a
Norwegian driving licence once you have
passed a practical driving test. You must
exchange your foreign driving licence
within one year of registering as a resident of Norway. If you apply too late, you
must take mandatory training and pass a
theory test and practical driving test. The
exchange must be completed within two
years, at the latest, of acquiring a permanent address in Norway.
Please note
that, in connection with

application for a car loan, some
banks may require that you
have stayed for certain length
of time in Norway.
area For all other countries outside the

EEA area, you cannot exchange a foreign
driving licence for a Norwegian driving
licence. You must take mandatory training
at a driving school and then pass a theory
test and practical driving test in order to
obtain a Norwegian driving licence. If you
registered as a resident of Norway before
1 July 2010, you can use your foreign
driving licence for 12 months before
exchanging it for a Norwegian driving
licence. If you registered as a resident of
Norway on 1 July 2010 or later, you can
only use your foreign driving licence for
three months before you have to exchange it for a Norwegian driving licence.
For further information about exchanging driving licences, please
contact the Norwegian Public Roads
Administration.
Using a car registered abroad
Car insurance
The main rule is that cars that are to be

used in Norway must be registered in the
Central Register of Motor Vehicles and
that taxes must be paid. Subject to more
detailed conditions, some exceptions
apply to the temporary import and use of
foreign-registered vehicles in Norway.
Car insurance can be a combination of

several separate insurance policies.
It is very important that you familiarise

yourself with the applicable regulations
before you import or use a foreignregistered motor vehicle in Norway. If you
violate the regulations, you will be ordered
to pay taxes on the car.
You will find more information about
these regulations at www.toll.no.
Relevant application forms are also
available there. You can also contact
Norwegian Customs and Excises
information centre on tel. (+47) 030 12.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a type of insurance
that all car owners must take out, i.e. it is
not optional. The insurance covers every
type of damage or injury the car can inflict
on other people or objects.
Car loan
Comprehensive
motor insurance
Comprehensive motor insurance is insurance that, in addition to reduced own
damages insurance, covers damage to
your own car in connection with a collision, driving off the road etc. Note that
there can be limitations on the insurance
cover for additional equipment (for example a ski box, an expensive stereo etc.).
Reduced own
damages insurance
Reduced own damages insurance covers
fire, theft, vandalism in connection with a
theft, damage to windows. It also covers
what liability insurance covers. This type
of insurance is usually taken out for used
cars that are more than ten years old.
Legal expenses insurance Legal

expenses insurance is included in all car
insurance. The upper limit for coverage is
approx. NOK 80,000.
terms and car insurance prices is
available at www.finansportalen.no.
Most financing institutions can grant you

a car loan at a slightly higher interest rate
than for a home loan, using the car as
security. It is often a requirement that 35
per cent of the purchase price is paid in
cash.
Do you want a car loan?
Contact your bank.
85
Motor vehicles
First-time registration of a used, imported vehicle
The following is a checklist for persons
Step 2: Upon arrival at the
Step 3: Buy temporary number
even if you do not pay customs duties.
Step 5: Approval of the vehicle
exempt from taxes. Separate rules apply
who are bringing a vehicle to Norway for
Norwegian border
plates valid for one day (trade plates)
After customs clearance, Customs and
The Public Roads Administrations Driver
to firms that have a credit arrangement
first-time registration. The rules do not
use a manned border crossing
from the Norwegian Public Roads
Excise issues a registration form (form
and Vehicle Licensing Offices approve
with Customs and Excise.
apply if you have a temporary residence
report to the red channel
Administration
NA-0221).
vehicles that are imported to Norway after
When Customs and Excise registers that
You can drive vehicles imported from
Take the following documents with you:
they have been customs cleared and
the taxes have been paid, it will endorse
If the customs and excise authorities in
abroad in Norway with foreign number
The transit document
value added tax has been paid. The vehi-
the registration form (form NA-0221). If
the country from which you are bring-
plates for up to 30 days after the vehicle
An invoice or sales contract showing
cle must be approved before the one-off
you pay on the spot, this can be done im-
First-time registration
step by step:
ing the vehicle have not already issued a
has been customs cleared. In such case,
the actual purchase price and,
registration tax and vehicle scrap deposit
mediately. You must take the registration
transit document (a customs document
the vehicle must have valid number
if relevant, a freight invoice and
tax can be calculated by Customs and
form along with you when you register the
Step 1: Before importation to Norway
that permits you to use the foreign vehicle
plates, vehicle registration certificate and
documentation of any other expenses
Excise.
vehicle at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
You should find out from one of the
from the Norwegian border to your local
insurance.
incurred by the vehicle before crossing
Norwegian Public Roads Administrations
customs office within a given deadline),
the Norwegian border (e.g. insurance)
All imported vehicles must first
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Offices what
Norwegian Customs and Excise will issue
If the vehicle does not have valid foreign
The original foreign registration
be approved by the Public Roads
Step 7: Register the vehicle
technical requirements apply to the vehi-
you one at the border.
number plates, vehicle registration certifi-
document, or a Certificate of
Administration and then registered.
The vehicle must be registered at one of
cate or insurance, it may only be used if
Compliance (CoC). When importing
permit and can drive without paying tax

in Norway.
86
cle for it to be approved in Norway.
Office.
the Public Roads Administrations Driver
You should check with the authorities in
The customs office at which you are to
it has valid temporary number plates valid
new cars for which a CoC is presented,
Step 6: Pay the one-off registration
and Vehicle Licensing Offices or at a
the country from which you are bringing
customs clear the vehicle in Norway will
for one day (trade plates).
you can in most cases pay the one-off
tax
dealership that has access to the Autoreg
the vehicle whether:
be stated on the transit document. You
registration tax at the same time as the
Once you have had the vehicle ap-
system. With certain exceptions, trailers
any export restrictions or export
can use valid foreign number plates when
Step 4: Customs clear and pay valued
value added tax.
proved at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing
also have to be registered.
clearance requirements apply,
driving to this customs office if the vehicle
added tax to Customs and Excise
the vehicle has a valid number plate
is insured.
Within a given deadline (usually one to
If you meet the conditions for driving
customs office to have the following taxes
It is possible to make an appointment
three days after arriving in Norway), you
with foreign number plates after customs
calculated:
with most of the Driver and Vehicle
If you wish to pay value added tax already
must report to the customs office where
clearance, you must ensure that the
one-off registration tax
Licensing Offices for individual approval of
vehicle scrap deposit tax
a vehicle, but not for approval in general.
and is insured for driving it to and

in Norway.
Office, you must contact your local
upon crossing the border, you must raise
you are to customs clear the vehicle. If
registration form (form NA-0221) is kept
Refunds of foreign value added tax are a
this directly with Customs and Excise at
you fail to meet the deadline, Customs
in the vehicle until it is registered.
matter between the buyer and seller and
the border crossing in question.
Contact the Public Roads Administration
and Excise can impose additional
The taxes must be calculated before the
do not concern the Norwegian Public
charges. You have to pay value added
Public Roads Administration can register
Roads Administration or Customs and
tax and any greenhouse gas taxes for the
the vehicle. Some groups of vehicles are
Excise.
vehicle. This is called customs clearance
by calling 06650.
87
Points to remember in
relation to re-registration:
1. Notifiacation of sale
3. Insurance
4. Fees
5. Identification
6. Periodic roadworthiness check
Motor vehicles
Re-registration when purchasing a used vehicle in Norway
88
The following documents must be pre-
A driving licence, passport and other
Once the Public Roads Administration
When a motor vehicle changes owner,
filled in, since incorrect registration in
The new owners responsibility:
sented in connection with registration:
proof of identity issued by a public
has registered the vehicle, you will be
the change of ownership must be re-
this context will mean that the change of
To fill in the notification of sale together
authority that contains its holders
issued a temporary vehicle registration
ported to the Norwegian Public Roads
ownership cannot be registered.
with the previous owner
The foreign vehicle registration certificate
name, personal identity number and
certificate. The permanent vehicle regis-
Administration. This can be done by
If the foreign vehicle registration
photo is accepted. A bank card
tration certificate (two parts) will be sent
going to a Driver and Vehicle Licensing
The previous owners responsibility:
contains your personal identity number
certificate consists of two parts (the
containing the personal identity
in the post. You cannot drive a vehicle
Office or by submitting the neces-
To fill in the notification of sale together
(11 digits) or organisation number
EU model), both of them must be
number and photo of the holder is
abroad with a temporary vehicle registra-
sary documents. Only persons with a
with the new owner and send or hand
must be presented upon registration
handed in.
also accepted. For firms, companies
tion certificate.
Norwegian personal identity number, a
it in to a Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Order new insurance
The requirement for the handing-in
and other undertakings, a transcript
D-number or a Norwegian organisation
Office
of foreign vehicle registration certifi-
from the Norwegian Central
With effect from 1 August 2012,
number can register change of ownership
To submit Part 2 of the vehicle
Pay the fee for registration of change of
cates applies irrespective of which
Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
Norwegian number plates will only be
of a motor vehicle in Norway.
registration certificate so that change
ownership using the payment giro sent
country the vehicle is imported from.
containing the organisation number
issued when the foreign number plates
When importing from a country
is accepted.
are handed in.
In addition, you must have taken out
Imported second-hand vehicles will not
motor vehicle liability insurance. The insurance certificate is transferred electroni-
of ownership of the vehicle can be
to you after the notification of sale was
Once the notification of sale has been
registered.
registered.
submitted and registered, it is the new
To pay any outstanding annual motor
owner stated on the notification of sale
vehicle tax
If the deadline for the periodic technical
be required to undergo a periodic techni-
who will be sent the demand for annual
If you have an AutoPASS tag in the
inspection (also known as EU inspection)
cal inspection (EU inspection) in the first
motor vehicle tax, demands for road
vehicle, you must move it to your new
has expired, the inspection must be car-
outside the EU/EEA, ownership must

be documented by official documents.
The registration form (form NA-0221)
The registration form must be
Remember that proof of identity that
cally from the insurance company to the
12 months after registration, even if they
tolls and any fines. If the Public Roads
vehicle. You must also notify the toll
ried out before the change of ownership
stamped by Norwegian
Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
have reached the age when periodic
Administration does not receive a correct-
road operator that you have changed
can be registered.
Customs and Excise or an approved
This does not apply to trailers that are
technical inspection is required.
ly completed notification of sale, the pre-
cars.
forwarding agent.
exempt from the insurance requirement.
It must be signed by the owner or
For certain vehicles, such as those
Step 8: Pay the annual motor
demands, even if the person in question
If you have lost Part 2 of the vehicle
re-registration of vehicles is
a duly authorised person.
requiring an operating licence, ambu-
vehicle tax
no longer has the vehicle. It is also im-
registration certificate, download and fill in
available at www.vegvesen.no.
vious owner will continue to receive such
Further information about
lances etc., other documents will also be
You will receive a demand for annual
portant that the personal details of both
a notification of loss form and send it to a
Proof of identity (ID)
required (operating licence, ambulance
motor vehicle tax from Customs and
the previous and new owner are correctly
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
Valid proof of identity is required for
certification etc.)
Excise after registration.
personal owners and co-owners.
89
Important dates for motor vehicle owners
31 December
- deadline for handing in number

plates to avoid the Annual Motor
Vehicle Tax
Motor vehicles
90
- basis for the demand for Annual Motor Vehicle

Tax for owners of registered motor vehicles
- new rate for Annual Motor Vehicle Tax
- new rate for the re-registration fee
1 November
Annual Motor Vehicle Tax
Periodic roadworthiness test
To drive a car with registered number
Norway does not have an obligation to
Who performs the test
plates in Norway, you must pay an Annual
carry out periodic roadworthiness tests
The test can be performed by an ap-
Motor Vehicle Tax. Annual Vehicle Tax is
on foreign vehicles in Norway that are not
proved control body. Garages and the
valid from 1 January until the end of the
registered here. It is the obligation of the
Norwegian Automobile Federations
year. Annual Motor Vehicle Tax must also
country in which the vehicle is registered
testing stations are approved for test
be paid for vehicles whose number plates
to ensure that the test requirement is met.
purposes. You are responsible for book-
were removed after 1 January. If the
1 January
ing a date for the test. Find out when your
vehicle has been delivered for scrapping
The following applies to
car is due for a test at www.vegvesen.no.
befor 20 March, you do not have to pay.
vehicles registered in Norway:
Here you can also see when a car was
The test
last approved, which is useful information
The person registered (on 1 January) in
Cars with a gross vehicle weight of 3,500
when you are buying a used car. You can
the central register of motor vehicles as
kg or less must be tested during the
also obtain information about vehicles
the owner of the vehicle must pay Annual
course of the fourth calendar year after
by sending a text message to 2282 with
Motor Vehicle Tax to Norwegian Customs
first-time registration. After that, the vehi-
the registration number of the vehicle
and Excise.
cle must be tested every other year. Cars
(price NOK 3 per message) and by
and trailers with a gross vehicle weight of
looking up a vehicle in the Public Roads
Unpaid Annual Motor Vehicle Tax will
3,500 kg or more, all cars that are reg-
Administrations app for mobile phones,
be collected by the Norwegian National
istered for 10 or more people, and taxis
Bil og henger.
Collection Agency. The tax will usually be
and ambulances must be tested during
deducted from your pay.
the course of the second calendar year
It is advisable to make an appointment
after first-time registration. The vehicle
in good time to make sure your vehicle is
must then be tested every year.
approved by the end of the test month.

For further information,
contact the Norwegian Public Roads
Administration on tel. 06 650.
- use of studded tyres

is permitted in the rest
of the country
20 March
16 October
- due date for

payment of Annual
Motor Vehicle Tax
- deadline for
scrapping vehicles
to avoid having to
pay Annual Motor
Vehicle Tax
- use of studded
tyres is permitted
in Northern
Norway
Studded tyres
15 August
- deadline for fixing

tax control stickers
to your number
plates
1 July
- half the Annual Motor

Vehicle Tax
30 June
- deadline for scrapping

vehicles in order to have
half of the Annual Motor
Vehicle Tax reimbursed
- use permitted in Northern

Norway until: 1 May
- for the rest of the country,
until: the first Monday after
Easter Monday
91
Motor vehicles
Parking
Traffic rules
De
rge
dsfkjh
kjbfsd bdfkj
sdfhs kjfbxn bdfkb
sdfjhs dbfhs dshjsfsdkjb
dbf
dkjbf df
dfb fksdb
sdfbs
dfsh fsddfsh ksdbsdjfh dsfkjh
df sdlfhsfsdjh
sdlfhs fsdjh fsdkjb
dsfkjh
sdfhs fsdkjfbdfkj
df sdfjhs
df
kjbfsd bdfkj
dbfhs bxn bdfkb
sdfhs kjfbxn bdfkb
df sdjfh dbf dshjs fssdfbs dfb sdfjhs dbfhs dshjsfsdkjb
peisk
dbf
dkjbf df
df
dfb fksdb
e
sdfbs
dfsh fsddfsh ksdbsdjfh dsfkjh
df sdlfhsfsdjh
sdlfhs fsdjh fsdkjb
dsfkjh
sdfhs fsdkjfbdfkj
df sdfjhs
df
kjbfsd bdfkj
dbfhs bxn bdfkb
df sdjfh dbf dshjs fs- sdfhs kjfbxn bdfkb
sdfbs dfb sdfjhs dbfhs dshjsfsdkjb
mere
dfb fksdb
df dkjbf df sdjfhdbf sdfbs
dfsh fsddfsh ksdb
nde
dsfkjh df
sama
sdlfhs fsdjh fsdkjb
sdlfhsfsdjh
sdfhs fsdkjfbdfkj
df sdfjhs
rbeid
df
dbfhs bxn bdfkb
df sdjfh dbf dshjs fssdfbs dfb
df
iske
Euro
Vog
nko
ko
rt de
nom
iske
l1
sam
arb
eid
Multi
maxi
ERK
ORT
3 Retti
sdmnbfjsb
ghet
xXxXx
dfjhbsdfk
er for
NOR
nnbsdf
xXxXx XxxXx
GEdeg som
sdkfjbs
3 Omr
xXxXx XxxXx
sjf
sdkfjhbsd dfk jbsdf
r
egist fk
sdfkj bsdkfbsk
xXxXx XxxXx
rering jbs df
dfjbksdf
xXxX XxxXx
sdkfjbsdf / skifte
xXxxX
hb,md av
xXxX
sdfkjb
eiger
xXxxX x
sdfhbsdfk
xXxX
jn bdkhjf
xXxxX x sdkfjb sdfkjbsdfjhvsdfnjb
x
sdifh bsdfm
d
sdkj bsd
sdfkb
min.
20 metres
min.
5 metres
No
t Eur
ope
1 Det
2 Det
FR
1
2
3
4a
4b
5
7
sdfhjk
sdfkbjhsd
kfj hbsdfka
hbdf
s dkfjbsdf
hjsd kfb
h sdfsdf
92
93
When driving, drivers must
have their driving licence,
vehicle registration certificate,
a warning triangle and a safety
vest in the car.
The use of safety belts is mandatory, including in the back seat.

Children must be secured separately in a carry cot, a child seat
or a booster seat, depending on
the childs age and size.
It is not permitted to use a

handheld mobile phone while
driving.
Parking is prohibited closer

than 5 meters to a crossroad, a
pedestrian crossing or a railway
crossing.
The use of lights when driving

is mandatory at all times.
It is also prohibited to park at

a taxi stand or a bus stop, or
within 20 meters of either side
of one.
Parking is prohibited on motorways, or major roads with a

speed limit higher than 50 km/h
Parking is also regulated by local regulations and traffic signs.

Toll roads
Tyres must have an adequate tread depth: For summer tyres, the
minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm and for winter tyres, the minimum
is 3 mm. The use of studded tyres is permitted in the period from
1 November to the Monday after Easter Monday. In the counties of
Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, the use of studded tyres is permitted
in the period from 15 October to 1 May. Studded tyres can be used
outside these dates if driving conditions make it necessary. In some
cities, you must pay a fee to use studded tyres.
Speed limits: unless otherwise

indicated by a road sign, the
maximum speed limit is 50 kph
in built-up areas and 80 kph in
other areas.
The prescribed blood alcohol

limit for driving a car in Norway is 0.2 mg/ml. Do not drive
after drinking alcohol.
Look for this sign if you want

to pay toll at facilities such as
petrol stations close to the toll
station.
Automatic toll station.
If you have an AutoPASS

contract and AutoPASS tag in
your vehicle, it is easy to pay
toll road.
If you do not have AutoPASS

tag, you can pay in different
ways depending on the toll
plaza.
Motor vehicles
Toll roads
94
Violation of rules and regulations
In a case of traffic accident
In Norway, some roads are financed by
Automatic toll plazas
If you receive a bill that you do not agree
Regulations relating to road traffic are
is not reported to the police. For example:
If you are involved in a traffic accident,
road tolls. Rates and discounts vary from
Most toll plazas are automatic, which
with, you must first complain to the toll
very strict in Norway. Police checks and
speeding, driving in the wrong direction in
you must stop and give assistance
one toll road to the next.
means that you do not have to stop - you
company. It is recommended that you do
automatic speed controls are performed
a one-way-street etc. The penalty charge
and help to secure the scene.
is payable within three weeks.
Persons involved in a traffic accident
just drive right through. A photo is taken
this in writing. If this does not help, you
on a regular basis. Particular emphasis
How do you pay road toll?
of the licence plates and the owner of the
can appeal to the Norwegian Public Road
is placed on speed controls, random
If you have an AutoPASS contract and an
car receives an invoice, without incurring
Administration. Remember that you must
breathalyser tests (both alcohol and other
Penalty notice
address and licence number.
AutoPASS tag in your vehicle, it is easy to
additional charges. This also applies to
pay the companys demand in the mean-
substances), behaviour in traffic and the
In the case of more serious offences, the
In the event of a death or serious
pay road toll. You receive an AutoPASS
foreign vehicles.
time, but you will get your money back if
use of protective equipment such as
driver is fined and reported to the police.
injury, the police must be alerted using
it turns out that you are in the right.
safety belts, child seats etc. Violations of
For example: excessive speeding, driving
the emergency telephone number
tag when you enter into an agreement
have a duty to supply their name,
with a toll company. The AutoPASS
If you do not wish to receive an invoice,
the Norwegian Road Traffic Act, such as
through a red light, dangerous overtaking,
112. Vehicles involved in such
contract means that you pay an amount
you can pay the fee at certain petrol
For further information about toll
speeding or driving under the influence,
if the vehicle is hazardous to traffic etc.
accidents must only be moved with
in advance. You will also get a discount
stations within three working days after
roads see www.autopass.no.
can lead to serious penalties such as
In the event of a conviction, the person
the consent of the police.
when you drive through toll plazas admin-
passing the toll plaza. Look for the sign
fines, confiscation of driving licences and,
in question receives the judgment and a
istrated by the company. The tag can be
marked KR-service. You can also pay
in more serious cases, imprisonment.
bank giro by post.
used at all toll plazas that have AutoPASS
online for each time you pass.

Minor offences and traffic violations are
Unconditional/suspended
punished in different ways:
prison sentences
and you can drive through them without

stopping.
Passing through other toll plazas

Other toll plazas have both an AutoPASS
For particularly serious offences. For
If you do not have AutoPASS tag, you
lane and a lane for manual toll payment
Penalty charges/
example: driving under the influence,
can pay in different ways depending on
or payment to a coin machine. Do not
infringement fine
causing injury to another person as a
the toll plaza:
drive through the AutoPASS lane without
For example failure to use a safety belt,
result of speeding etc. Tried in the courts
an AutoPASS contract. You risk incurring
using a mobile telephone, illegal parking
and subject to fines.
additional charges.
etc. The penalty charge is payable within

three weeks.
Disqualification from driving

The police can disqualify a driver in the
Fixed penalties
event of reckless driving or very serious
Imposed when the driver admits to the of-
offences: driving under the influence,
fence or violation on the spot. The person
speeding, collisions, traffic accidents.
95
Public transport
Long-distance travel
Local transport
Norway has a well-established public
At www.trafikanten.no, you will find
Information about tickets and fares
If you are travelling over longer distances
Information about fares, tickets and
transport system and a large network of
information about trains / the
for transport outside the city of Oslo
between counties, travelling by train,
further information is available at
buses, ferries, trains and planes. There
underground / buses / trams in the
is available at www.177.no.
express bus or plane can be a good
www.nor-way.no or www.timekspres-
are many different transport companies in
counties of Akershus, Buskerud,
alternative.
sen.no. www.rutebok.no is also a good
Norway, some of which specialise in local
Hedmark, Oppland, Oslo, Vestfold,
Please note that it is your responsibil-
services, while others run long-distance
Telemark and stfold. The informa-
ity to ensure that your ticket is stamped
Train
transport services (in Norwegian, German
services.
tion is available in Norwegian, English
and valid for the entire journey when you
Information about timetables, booking
and English).
and German.
are using public transport in Norway.
tickets or traffic information and infor-
Failure to present a valid ticket at a ticket
mation about delays etc. is available in
Plane
Norwegian and English at www.nsb.no.
Information about flights, tickets prices
96
Within a county, you can travel by train,
source of information about the public
97
bus, underground train, tram or ferry
Oslo has a well-established network of
inspection on a train, the underground,
depending on local services. www.177.no
buses, trams and underground trains,
or a bus, results in a fine of NOK 750
is a web portal with travel information for
operated by Ruter.
set by the Ministry of Transport and
Express buses
www.norwegian.no
Communications. Attempting to forge a
Norway Bussekspress and Time-
www.wideroe.no
www.sas.no
all of Norway. Here you will find informa-
and booking:
tion about departure and arrival times for
If you are travelling by train, tram, bus
ticket is a criminal offence and can lead to
ekspressen are the two largest long-
buses, ferries and other means of trans-
or on the underground, it is cheaper to
a fine of NOK 1,500. Invalid tickets will be
distance bus companies in Norway.
port. You can also call tel.: 177.
buy a ticket beforehand than on board.
confiscated.
Tickets for the underground, trains, boats

and buses in greater Oslo area are available from kiosks such as Narvesen, MIX
and Deli de Luca, from ticket machines
and/or from staffed ticket windows at the
stations. There are many different kinds of
tickets: single tickets, day passes, weekly
passes, travel cards and monthly passes.
Further information about tickets and
fares is available at www.ruter.no.
Bank services
98
Payment services
Accounts
Bank card
In Norway, anyone can open a deposit
Ordinary payment cards (debit cards)
borrowed on your credit card if you pay
Using an online bank, the banks custom-
It is also possible to enter into agree-
account and use the banks payment
are linked to salary accounts or current
back the entire amount within 45 days. If
ers can pay their bills and transfer money
ments with creditors and banks to pay
system. Wage earners must usually open
accounts. Use is limited to the amount
you do not pay back the full amount within
to other accounts online. Alternatively,
bills by direct debit, which means that the
a salary account/current account into
deposited in the account. Limited credit
approximately 45 days, interest is incurred
customers can choose to use giros sent
amount is automatically debited from your
which their salary is paid. To open such
(an overdraft) on a payment card can
on the amount due. The interest rate on
by post or telegiros. Bills can also be
account on the due date. This is common
an account, you must sign an account
be arranged with the bank. Customers
credit card loans is often very high, and
paid in cash or via mobile phone. The
in connection with regular payments, such
agreement and show valid identification
with sufficient security, i.e. persons with
it is a far more expensive way to borrow
advantage of paying via the internet or
as electricity and telephone bills etc. The
(passport) at the bank. There are also
a regular income or assets that can be
money than many other types of loans.
your mobile phone is that the services
advantage is that the bill is paid on the
other types of accounts, e.g. various
pledged as security, can also be offered
You should therefore become acquainted
are normally available 24/7. It can be a
due date so that you avoid reminder fees.
types of savings accounts or investment
credit cards, which are payment cards
with the terms and conditions for your
good idea to enter into an agreement
accounts with varying interest rates
not linked to an account. The customer is
credit card before you start using it.
for electronic invoicing, meaning that the
Direct debit and e-invoicing mean that the
depending on the amount deposited.
then granted advance credit, and use of
invoices are sent to and stored electroni-
customer does not have to pay invoice
the card is charged in arrears. It is similar
cally in your online bank. The e-invoices is
charges.
to a loan. Most banks have approx. 45
precompleted with the KID number,
days free credit. This means that you do
account number and amount, which
not have to pay interest on what you have
makes it easy to pay. The customer

must accept the payment and can make
changes to the bill before it is paid.
In case of stolen or lost bank or credit card call 0 89 89
99
Bank services
How do I open a bank account?
100
To open a bank account, you must take

along your passport, a passport photo
and documentation that you have a
D-number or a personal identity number
to the bank.
You must sign the account agreement at

the bank.
After your visit to the bank, you will

receive your bank card and a PIN code
separately in the post.
Transferring money to
another country
Bank loans
Mortgages
Money can be transferred to another
In connection with any kind of loan, the
Most banks offer mortgages if you want
country via a bank (including internet
bank will require some kind of security
to buy a house or an apartment. The
banks), by using a money transfer
that the loan applicant is able to make re-
repayment period for a mortgage is long,
company, an internet operator, or, for
payments i.e. has an income. Most loans
usually between 20 and 30 years. People
example, at a post office. Different banks
have a floating interest rate, which means
who do not own a home in Norway can
and companies offer transfer services
that it follows the market rate. A fixed
apply for a first-time buyer mortgage, i.e.
to different countries, and prices and
interest rate gives the customer financial
a mortgage with the same interest rate for
efficiency vary. The cheapest solution is
predictability. Usually, a fixed interest rate
the entire amount where you can borrow
often to use internet banking services.
is more expensive than a floating interest
up to 100 per cent of the purchase price.
rate in the long run, and it is normally only
Contact your bank to find out how much
The Norwegian Consumer Council finan-
recommended if the household cannot
you can borrow and what interest rate the
cial services portal (Finansportalen) has
afford an increase in the interest rate. A
bank offers. Bring your tax return and pay
a new online service
credit check will be performed in connec-
slip to the bank to document your income
www.sendingmoneyhome.no that
tion with all loan applications.
level.
Consumer loans
At www.finansportalen.no, you can
Many financial institutions offer customer
find out which banks offer the lowest
or personal loans in connection with the
interest rate.
helps you find the best way to send

money from Norway to other countries.
purchase of goods and services. These

loans are usually short-term and have
very high interest rates. Normally, a consumer loan will be very expensive.
101
Bank services
102
Car loans
Debt
Most financing institutions can grant you
If bills for the purchase of goods and
It can also be a good idea to inform the
The most common arrangement is that
Debt settlement arrangements are
a car loan at a slightly higher interest rate
services or loan instalments are not paid,
debt collection agency that you are in
the debtor pays back as much as he/she
administered by an execution and
than for a home loan, using the car as
action may be taken to recover the debt
contact with the creditor/lender about ar-
can during a five-year period. During this
enforcement officer (namsman-
security. It is often a requirement that 35
through debt collection. Debt collection
ranging a repayment plan, and to request
period, the debtor must set aside that
nen). In the following municipalities,
per cent of the purchase price is paid in
leads to increased interest and other
that the debt collection be put on hold
part of his/her net income (income after
the enforcement authority is called a
cash.
expenses, and it may eventually lead
until further notice. Further debt collection
tax) that exceeds the amount required for
namsfogd: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger,
to repossession or the forced sale of a
costs can thereby be avoided.
living expenses and to support them-
Trondheim, Fredrikstad, Skedsmo, Asker
Do you want a car loan? Contact your
house, car etc. It is therefore important
selves and their family. The remaining
and Brum, Tnsberg and Nttery,
bank.
to contact the creditor/lender as soon as
Debt settlement arrangements
amount is divided between the creditors.
Kristiansand, Sandnes, and Troms and
possible after payment problems arise to
The purpose of a debt settlement ar-
The debtor is usually debt-free after this
Karlsy. In the rest of the country, the
Please note that, in connection with ap-
try to negotiate a manageable repayment
rangement is to give people with serious
five-year period.
local police act as execution and enforce-
plication for a car loan, some banks may
plan. If your financial situation is particu-
debt problems an opportunity to regain
require that you have stayed for a certain
larly difficult, it is possible to agree a debt
control of their finances. For example, a
length of time in Norway.
settlement arrangement.
debt settlement can mean that the debtor

is given an extension on the repayment of
the entire amount or part of the amount,
that the creditor in whole or in part waives
interest or charges, or that the debt is
cancelled in whole or in part.
ment authorities.
103
Insurance
Car insurance
General insurance is a collective term for
Car insurance can be a combination of
Comprehensive motor
Home-owners insurance covers damage
You can take out joint home contents and
There are different types of personal
the insurance of things. Home-owners
several separate insurance policies.
insurance
to your house that cannot be attributed
building insurance. If you own a house or
insurance. You can take out personal in-
Comprehensive motor insurance is insur-
to wear and tear or inadequate mainte-
an apartment in a jointly-owned property
surance for death, disability, critical illness

or one of the above alone.
insurance, car insurance, home cont-
104
Personal insurance
General insurance
Home-owners insurance
ents insurance, boat insurance and pet
Liability insurance
ance that, in addition to reduced own
nance. It also covers water damage and
or a housing cooperative, the building will
insurance are examples of the insurance
Liability insurance is a type of insurance
damages insurance, covers damage to
damage or injury as a result of fire. In
as a rule be insured by the cooperative/
of things. The price of the insurance
that all car owners must take out, i.e. it is
your own car in connection with a colli-
addition, the insurance usually covers any
jointly-owned property. All you need is
Insurance that pays compensation in the
depends on how much it covers. Some
not optional. The insurance covers every
sion, driving off the road etc. Note that
liability you may incur for damage to an-
such case is a home contents policy. Ask
event of death due to illness or accidents
types of insurance cover more than
type of damage or injury the car can inflict
there can be limitations on the insurance
other person or their belongings (liability
the board of the jointly-owned property or
is called life insurance. If you want to
others and are therefore more expensive.
on other people or objects.
cover for additional equipment (for exam-
insurance).
housing cooperative about this.
secure your finances in the event of dis-
ple a ski box, an expensive stereo etc.).

Reduced own damages
ability or critical illness, you can take out

Home-owners insurance comes in many
separate or combined insurance for this,
insurance
Legal expenses insurance
different varieties and at different prices.
in which case you must complete a medi-
Reduced own damages insurance covers
Legal expenses insurance is included
The terms and conditions decide what
cal declaration form.
fire, theft, vandalism in connection with a
in all car insurance. The upper limit for
the insurance covers. If you do not own
theft, damage to windows. It also covers
coverage is approx. NOK 80,000.
your own house or apartment, you do not
If no one else is dependent on your
need home insurance.
income, it is usually sufficient to take out
what liability insurance covers. This type

of insurance is usually taken out for used
disability insurance. For cohabitants, per-
cars that are more than ten years old.
terms and car insurance prices is
sonal insurance is often a better solution
available at www.finansportalen.no.
than credit life insurance (which cancels

debt in case of death).
105
Insurance
Telecommunication
Home contents insurance
Travel insurance
Finansportalen
Buying a mobile phone
Telephone-/internet subscription
Among other things, this insurance policy
Finansportalen is an online service from
Choose your mobile according to your
Before you take out a subscription for
period and termination of the agreement
apartment/house, you need home con-
covers luggage and illness/injuries suf-
the Norwegian Consumer Council that
needs. Also check how well the mobile
a mobile phone, a fixed-line phone, or
will be relevant to you as a buyer. You
tents insurance. This insurance covers
fered while travelling. Some travel insur-
compares services in the fields of banking
phone has performed in tests. Most
broadband (internet), you should check
should also check the total price of your
damage to belongings in the event of
ance policies also apply on short trips,
and insurance, investment and interna-
mobile phones are subsidised by a
a few simple things. Among other things,
subscription.
fire, water damage, burglary etc. As for
for example to the shops and back.
tional money transfers. This information
phone company, which means that your
you should check the prices, terms and

conditions and different providers.
other types of insurance, the terms and
106
At www.bredbandsportalen.no you will
allows you to compare prices and offers
purchase binds you to a service provider
conditions decide what the home con-
In the event of a dispute between you
from different banks and insurance com-
and a particular subscription. Below,
tents insurance covers. You need home
and the insurance company about an
panies. The page also contains functions
you will find information about subscrip-
At www.telepriser.no (in Norwegian
contents insurance even if you are renting
insurance matter, you can bring the
that can help you change banks or send
tion agreements. Shops will often offer
only), you will find an overview of provid-
accommodation.
case before the Complaints Board for
money home. Checking the information
you insurance that covers mishaps in
ers, consumer information and other
At www.nettvett.no you will find informa-
Consumers in Banking and Finance
on this portal before signing a contract for
which your phone is accidentally broken
useful tips. www.telepriser.no also com-
tion, advice and a guide to safe use of the
Matters.
insurance or banking services is therefore
or damaged. Check what the insurance
pares prices for telephone services and
internet.
advisable.
covers. You may already be covered by
broadband (internet), based on your use.
other insurance.
It is particularly important to familiarise

products is available at www.finansportalen.no. It is an information ser-
See www.finansklagenemda.no
vice where users can compare bank
for more information.
find useful information about broadband
yourself with the terms and conditions
See www.finansportalen.no
or www.sendingmoneyhome.no
Further information about the rules
before you sign an agreement. For exam-
for more information.
that apply to the purchase of goods is
ple, conditions regarding the subscription
available at www.forbrukerportalen.no.
(intrenet).
107
Remember
Mark your letter box with

your full name.
Letters from Norwegian
public authorities are not
sent by recorded delivery.
You should therefore open
every letter you get, as
it may contain important
information.
Telecommunication
108
Public services online
TV licence fee
Post
The television licence is a mandatory
Norway Post is responsible for postal
Sending insured letters
Norge.no
Via Norway.no, you can also access
Contact Norway.no:
public fee that everyone who owns a
services in Norway. Postal services and
Collection of parcels and letters sent
Norway.no is a web portal and help desk
online public services via Find E-Services
Web site: www.norway.no
television set must pay. The licence must
basic banking services should be avail-
by recorded delivery
service that guides people to appropriate
and My Personal Information. My
Phone: (+47) 800 30 301
be paid regardless of what kind of televi-
able in every municipality in Norway. The
Collection of pre-booked tickets for
public agencies and services.
Personal Information allows you to check
E-mail: info@norway.no
sion set you have and what channels you
way post offices are organised varies
cultural events
data about your address, doctor and any
E-chat: Go to e-chat service
watch.
from place to place; some are organised
For 2013, the Storting has set the licence
On the portal, you can find topic pages
motorised vehicle registered in your name
on Norway.no
as regular post offices, while others are
Opening hours vary from place to place.
and FAQs with links to relevant informa-
in Norwegian public registers. Access
SMS: Send INFO <your question>
sub-post offices in ordinary shops.
Sub-post offices have the same opening
tion from public agencies. Topics include
requires logging in with an electronic ID,
to 1980
hours as the shop they are in.
marriage, taxation, health services,
for example MinID.
at NOK 2.680,50.
The licence is paid in two instalments:
employment, education, family and
Norway Posts services include the

following:
For information about opening hours,
housing matters. The portal also has a
If you need further help to find a public
The first licence period is for the period
Sale of envelopes
your local post office and Norway
Norwegian-English glossary of public
agency or service, simply contact the
1 January to 30 June and is due for
Sale of stamps for letters, postcards
Posts services, go to www.posten.no.
sector-related words.
Norway.no help desk. The help desk
payment on 31 January.
and small parcels
The second licence period is for the
Sending letters by recorded delivery
You can also use the portal to find
contacted by telephone, e-mail, e-chat
period 1 July to 31 December and is
Sending letters, postcards and parcels
contact details for public agency offices
or SMS.
due for payment on 31 July.
Sending international reply coupons or
throughout Norway, including offices
pre-payment of reply postage
responsible for services in your local area.
is open Monday- Friday and may be
Agency for Public Management and

eGovernment (Difi) is responsible for
Norway.no.
109
110
Facts about Norway
The law and crime
Useful telephone
numbers
Facts.....................112
- Government..........112
- Elections................112
- Religion..................112
- Political
geography.............112
- Official
languages.............113
- Climat.....................113
- Prices......................113
The police
and crime..............116
Emergency telephone
numbers................119
Alcohol
and drugs..............116
Other useful
telephone
numbers................119
Norwegian
history..................114
Work culture.........115
Religious and
belief-based
communities.........115
The Mediation and

Reconciliation
Service..................116
Public agencies
Public agencies
The Norwegian
Directorate of
Immigration..........120
The Norwegian
Directorate for
Children, Youth and
Family Affairs .......125
The Norwegian Tax

Administration......121
The Norwegian
Custom Service.....121
The Conciliation
Board....................117
The Norwegian State

Housing Bank........121
The courts.............118
The Consumer Council

of Norway.............122
Free legal aid........118
The Norwegian
Public Road
Administration......122
The Norwegian
Directorate for
Education and
Training.................126
The Directorate
for Nature
Management.........126
The Norwegian
Directorate of
Integration and
Diversity...............127
111
Useful information
The National Police

Directorate...........123
The Directorate for
Civil Protection and
Emergency
Planning...............123
Useful links...........128
The Directorate
of Labour and
Welfare.................124
Thematical index...132
The Labour Inspection

Authority..............125
Definition
of terms................130
Alphabetical
index.....................134
This section contains information about Norway and

how the Norwegian court system is organised. You will
also learn about what the different public agencies
are responsible for and where you can find contact
information for the agencies so that you can get in touch
with them if you have a question.
Facts about Norway

Facts
Official name: The Kingdom of Norway
Elections
Religion
Official languages
Prices
Capital:
Norway has two types of elections.
Freedom of religion. Protestant
Norwegian (bokml and nynorsk). Sami
Norway has one of Europes highest price
Population: 5038100 (Oct 1st 2012)
1. General elections held every
Christianity (official state church with the
has equal standing with Norwegian in
levels for goods and services for personal
Area (sq. km): 385 199
four years. Everyone who reaches
King as head) 86 %, other Christian faith
some municipalities in the counties of
consumption. In 2011, the price level for
National day: May 17th (Constitution day)
the age of 18 in the election year and
groups 7,5 %, Islam app. 4 %, other
Troms and Finnmark. In Norway, dialects
food was 51 per cent higher than the
Currency:
has Norwegian citizenship can vote in
religions and beliefs app. 2 %.
have a much higher status than in many
average price level in the EU area.
a general election.
Oslo
Norwegian krone (NOK)
(1 krone = 100 re)
112
other countries. There is no standard
2. Municipal and county council elec-
Political geography
spoken language, and most people
Government
tions (also called local elections)
Unitary state consisting of 19 counties
speak dialect in both private and public
Constitutional monarchy and parliamen-
held every four years.
and two special status areas, the islands
contexts. Using dialect is accepted on
of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. The counties
television, on the radio and in political life.
tary democracy. The Norwegian parliament is called the Storting. It has 169
You are entitled to vote in local
are divided into 430 municipalities. The
The dialects vary as regards pronuncia-
members. Norway is not a member of the
elections if you:
largest municipality is Oslo.
tion, grammar and vocabulary, but are
European Union (EU), but it is part of the
reach the age of 18 in the election year
European Economic Area (EEA).
and have Norwegian citizenship.
generally mutually understandable.
are a citizen of a non-Nordic country
Climate
and have been registered in the
The coastal climate in Norway is
population register as a resident of
influenced by its proximity to the sea,
Norway for the last three years before
which makes winters mild and sum-
the election.
mers relatively cool. In inland areas, the
are a citizen of another Nordic country
temperature is more directly influenced
and have been registered as a resident
by the sun, which means hot summers
of Norway by 30 June in the election
and cold winters. Source: The Norwegian
year.
Meteorological Institute.
There is a two-year interval between gen-
In North Norway you can experience two
eral elections and local elections.
phenomena: northern lights in winter and

midnight sun in summer.
113
I
e, eg,
, g
je, jeg
i, ai
ei
(g)
Facts about Norway

Norwegian History
Religious and belief-based

communities
Work culture
Early history
1450 and a considerable cultural integra-
Plan) from The United States and rebuilt
The Norwegian work culture is character-
A characteristic of Norwegian profes-
Most inhabitants are members of religious
Most of Scandinavia has been covered by
tion took place.
the country within five years. After the
ized by flat structure and empowered
sional life is the important work/life
or belief-based communities. Some of
war, Norway became a member of NATO
employees. For a newcomer it may be
balance. There is a general notion that
them participate actively in work with
ice at least three times, and the last ice

melted about 14 000 years ago. The first
Union with Sweden
and in 1952 the Nordic Council was
difficult to distinguish the boss from the
people work to live rather than live to
children, youth or adults, prayer meetings,
traces of man in Norway dates back to
The year 1814 is a remarkable year in
established. Norways strong will to be
rest of the employees. Decision-making
work. Norwegian lifestyle focuses on
meetings or religious services. Others only
some time after 10,000 BC and they came
Norwegian history. As a result of the Allies
independent is perhaps one of several
is often by consensus. There is a high
family values, sports and outdoor life.
participate in more ritual contexts such
both from the South and the North East.
decision Norway was handed over to
explanations as to why Norway has a
degree of autonomy in both what em-
Norwegians have a close relation to
as naming ceremonies, baptisms and
114
Sweden after the end of the Napoleon
complex relationship with Europe an the
ployees do and how they do it, and there
nature, and many families have hytter
confirmations, or are married and buried
The Viking Age (793-1066 AD)
war. A constitutional law was formed and
EU. Norwegians have voted against EU-
is generally a high level of trust that every-
(cabins) close to the coast or in the
in ceremonies organised by a religious or
For more than three centuries, the Vikings
signed and the Swedish king Karl Johan
membership both in 1972 and in 1994.
one contributes to the common goals
mountains. So dont be surprised if you
belief-based community. Traditionally, the
voyaged and invaded neighbouring coun-
came to Norway. The union with Sweden
and objectives. Dress code is informal in
find your colleagues leaving work early
public sector has had an active relation-
tries. Little by little they acquired national
lasted less than 100 years and ended in
Modern times
most businesses.
on Fridays to go to their hytte.
ship to religion and faith and it supports
identities and became Swedes, Danes
1905 as a result of a popular referendum.
Since the first discovery of crude oil on
and Norwegians. Local chieftains were ad-
It was a technical union and non cultural
the Norwegian continental shelf in 1969,
Norwegians are usually motivated by
Children are highly valued in society and
financially. It is normal to discuss, support
ministrating their own areas of the country
integration took place between the two
the life standard has increased consider-
personal development, a good work-
this also influences work culture. It is
and criticise religion and beliefs in public
until Harald Hrfagre united Norway into
countries.
ably and the wealth of the OLJE FOND
ing environment and friendly colleagues,
acceptable for families with young chil-
debates. Most internationally known reli-
represents today about NOK 350 000
rather than financial or other quantitative
dren to leave work early to pick up their
gions, churches and belief-based commu-
Norwegian independence
per capita. The petroleum industry con-
rewards. Employees are to a large extent
children from kindergarten.
nities are represented in Norway. You can
Norway declared itself neutral during both
tinues to be essential for the Norwegian
expected to work for the common good,
read more at www.trooglivssyn.no
Union with Denmark
the First and the Second World War but
economy and the Know how that
and to a lesser extent for personal fame
The Council for Religious and Life Stance
Norway entered the union with Denmark
nevertheless Norway was invaded and
Norway has obtained during this period,
and fortune. However, you will still find
Communities
as a consequence of a Royal marriage
occupied by the Germans on April 9th,
has become an important export article
work cultures where personal achieve-
www.norgeskristnerad.no
in the 14th century. The kingdom was
in 1940. With help from allied forces,
(product).
ment is valued, especially in sales and
Christian Council of Norway
named Denmark-Norway and the capital
Norway was liberated in May 1945 after
financial services.
www.kirken.no Church of Norway
was Copenhagen. Danish became the
resisting strongly against the German oc-
www.irm.no Islamic Council of Norway
official language among state officials from
cupancy. Norway accepted the Marshall
www.buddhistforbundet.no The
one kingdom and became the first king

around 885.
religious and belief-based communities
Buddhist Federation of Norway

www.dmt.oslo.no
The Mosaic Community
115
The law and crime

The Mediation and
Reconciliation Service
The police and crime
116
The Conciliation Board
Norway has a national police force with
European countries, which facilitates the
The Mediation and Reconciliation Service
Case processing times are short in the
The Conciliation Board is the lowest level
Every municipality has a Conciliation
approx. 12,000 employees in 27 police
process of obtaining information about
is a government service that offers
Mediation and Reconciliation Service. On
of the legal system for civil cases. It is a
Board. The Conciliation Board consists
districts. Each police district has several
the citizens of other countries if they are
mediation as a method of resolving or
average, it only takes a few weeks from
mediation service that has limited judicial
of three lay members and three deputy
police stations and rural police stations.
involved in criminal activity in Norway.
dealing with conflicts. The service is free
a case is submitted for mediation until it
powers. The Conciliation Boards main
members, chosen from among the muni-
This means that there is a police pres-
The police assist and guide all residents
of charge and is offered throughout the
has been concluded. In more than 90%
task is to help the parties to a case to
cipalitys inhabitants for a period of four
ence in all districts of the country. Police
in Norway, whether they are permanent
country. The Mediation and Reconciliation
of cases, the conflict is resolved by the
resolve it in a simple, quick and inexpen-
years at a time. The Conciliation Boards
are responsible for crime prevention and
or temporary residents.
Service deals with civil cases that the
parties reaching an agreement.
sive manner, either through mediation or
secretarial tasks are administered by the
the maintenance of peace and order.
parties bring before the service on their
by judgment. Most cases brought before
police. A complaint brought before the
Police also protect the residents of
own initiative, such as disputes between
Anyone can contact the Mediation and
the Conciliation Board concern disagree-
Conciliation Board is usually dealt with by
neighbours, family disputes, financial mat-
Reconciliation Service for information,
ments about debt in various contexts,
the Conciliation Board in the municipal-
ters and other conflicts. The prosecuting
advice or guidance on a relevant matter.
particularly in connection with the pur-
ity in which the subject of the complaint
chase of goods and services.
lives or has his/her registered business
Norway and investigate criminal offences.
Alcohol and drugs
The most important task of the police is
Norwegian legislation regarding alco-
authorities can also transfer cases to the
All enquiries are non-binding for the
to prevent criminal offences. The police
hol and drugs is stricter than in other
Mediation and Reconciliation Service for
persons contacting the Mediation and
work with other public authorities, such
European countries. For example, it
mediation.
Reconciliation Service, and the service
as child welfare services, schools and
is prohibited to drink alcohol in public
health services to prevent children, young
places such as on the streets or in parks,
Mediation is a method of dealing with
people and others from committing crimi-
and driving a car is prohibited even after
conflicts. Through negotiations and
For further information about the
court fee. The party who loses the case
nal offences. The police are particularly
drinking small amounts of alcohol. Severe
conversations, endeavours are made to
Mediation and Reconciliation Service
will usually be ordered to pay the costs of
concerned with the prevention of vio-
sentences may be imposed for the pos-
reach an agreement that both parties
go to www.konfliktraadet.no.
the case.
lence, both violence committed in public
session of even small amounts of illegal
can feel happy with. The parties decide
and domestic violence. In these areas,
drugs. Khat, hash and marihuana, which
themselves whether to enter into an
Go to www.forliksradet.no for more
the Norwegian law is strict, among other
are legal in other countries, are consid-
agreement.
information.
things, it is prohibited to carry a knife in
ered illegal drugs in Norway.
public. The law in Norway is particularly

strict when it comes to violence against
women and children. Norwegian authorities work closely with police in other
has a duty of confidentiality.
address.
If you wish to have a case brought before
the Conciliation Board, you have to pay a
117
Remember
Save emergency
phone numbers on
your mobile phone
Useful
telephone numbers
The law and crime

The courts
118
Free legal aid
Emergency telephone numbers
Other useful telephone numbers

Poisons Centre- 24 hour
The courts of law exercise judicial power
The Supreme Court (Hyesterett)
Legal aid is often included in various
However, not everyone with poor finances
in Norway. In addition, the courts have
is the highest judicial body in Norway.
types of insurance and in membership
is entitled to free legal aid. It only app-
Fires and major accidents

110
a control function in relation to the other
Rulings from lower courts can be
of organisations, including trade unions.
lies to certain cases that are considered
Alert other people in the house
emergency service
225 91 300
branches of government (the Parliament
appealed to the Supreme Court.
Some peoples legal expenses may
particularly important to peoples welfare.
Alert the fire services on tel. 110
The Poison Centre provides information
and the Government). The courts also
However, not all appeals will be heard by
also be covered by the public legal aid
Each case is considered separately. The
Try to put out the fire without risking
on acute poisonings and gives treatment
consider whether legislation is within the
the Supreme Court. Any matter brought
scheme.
conditions for the approval of an applica-
your life or health
advices. The centre serves both health
limits of the Constitution and review the
before the Supreme Court must initially
tion for free legal aid are strict, including
Inform the fire services when they
care professionals and the general public
legality of decisions made by the govern-
be considered by the Appeals Selection
Free legal aid is a service established by
the conditions that apply to limits on
arrive, and tell them if anyone is still in
on a 24 hour basis.
ment administration.
Committee, which decides which cases
the public authorities to provide people
earnings and wealth. As of 1 January
the building
Bank/credit card loss/theft
reporting 089 89
are to be heard by the Supreme Court.
in a poor financial situation with the legal
2009, the earnings limit for free legal
In Norway, the district court (tingrett)
The judgments of the Supreme Court are
aid they require. This means that the
aid is NOK 246,000 for single persons
Police and rescue
is the court of first instance. The district
final and cannot be appealed.
government, in whole or in part, covers
and NOK 369,000 for married couples/
coordination centre 112
court hears both criminal and civil cases
expenses and costs of legal assistance in
cohabitants.
For criminal offences where there is a
that are not heard by the Conciliation
connection with court proceedings and
Board. District court judgments can
otherwise. The purpose is to prevent the
Further information about free legal
of evidence being destroyed, or for other
be appealed to the next rung on the
loss of legal rights as a result of people
aid is available at
urgent inquiries, call the Police on tel. 112.
judicial ladder, the Court of Appeal
not being able to afford a lawyer.
www.fri-rettshjelp.no.
(lagmannsrett).
danger to peoples lives, if there is a risk
Ambulance
medical emergencies 113
Call 113 for help
Secure the scene and any injured
persons
Provide first aid
fire
police
AMBULANcE
110 112 113
119
Public agencies
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
The Norwegian Custom Service
The Norwegian State Housing Bank
The Norwegian immigration administra-
UDIs main task is to process applica-
Service centres for foreign workers
The Norwegian Tax Administration is an
It is the responsibility of the Norwegian
The Norwegian State Housing Bank
tion consists of several cooperating
tions for residence and work permits in
The Police, the Directorate of Immi-
agency under the authority of the Ministry
Customs Service to protect society
implements the Governments housing
agencies. The Norwegian Directorate of
Norway. To be able to process individual
gration, the Tax Administration and the
of Finance. The agency consists of the
against the illegal importation and expor-
policy and assists the municipalities in
Immigration (UDI) is the central execu-
cases in a good and efficient manner, UDI
Labour Inspection Authority have estab-
Directorate of Taxes and five tax regions.
tation of goods through efficient con-
their work with the homeless and other
tive administrative agency in the area
collaborates with the police and foreign
lished joint service centres for foreign
The Norwegian Tax Administration is
trols. The Customs Service also collects
people struggling to enter the housing
of immigration and refugees in Norway.
service missions.
workers in Norway. The service centres
responsible for taxation and the popula-
customs and excise duties on behalf of
market. The Housing Bank offers loans
provide guidance and swift processing
tion register.
the government. The agency is under the
and other support to people who have
The directorate is under the authority of
120
The Norwegian Tax

Administration
the Ministry of Justice and the Police.
Contact information
of applications for residence and moving
authority of the Ministry of Finance, and
difficulty obtaining a home for themselves,
The UDIs task is, on the one hand, to
Internet: www.udi.no, ask your questions
to Norway. The centres helps EU/EEA
Contact information
the organisation is divided into a central
or who need assistance to remain in their
facilitate legal and welcome immigration,
via contact form
nationals, nationals of other countries
Telephone: 800 80 000
directorate and six local customs regions.
current home.
including the protection of refugees, and
Telephone: 23 35 16 00 between
who apply for a work permit as a skilled
From abroad: + 47 220 77 000
on the other hand, to contribute to the
8.00-15.45, Monday to Friday
worker, and family members of these
Internet: www.skatteetaten.no
Contact information
Contact information
Telephone the information centre:

Internet: www.husbanken.no
prevention of illegal and unwelcome immi-
two groups. The service centres are a
www.taxnorway.no
gration. The UDI also plays a key role as
Employer Service
nationwide centre that users must attend
0 30 12
the competent authority in the area of im-
This is a service line for employers who
in person.
Internet: www.toll.no
migration and refugees, and contributes
have questions relating to applications
to the development of the Governments
for permits granted on the basis of
SUAs visiting addresses:
immigration and refugee policies. Appeals
employment.
Oslo, Schweigaards gate 17,
against UDI decisions are processed by
Telephone: 23 35 15 33
Stavanger, Lagrdsveien 46,
the Immigrations Appeals Board (UNE),
Kirkenes, Rdhussvingen 1 (the Police),
which is a politically independent agency.
Pasvikveien 2 (the Tax Administartion).

See www.sua.no for more
information.
121
Public agencies
The Consumer Council of Norway
122
The Norwegian Public Road

Administration
The National Police Directorate
The Directorate for Civil Protection

and Emergency Planning
The Consumer Council is a special inter-
The Consumer Council handles com-
The Norwegian Public Roads
The National Police Directorate is under
Each of the 27 police districts is under
The Directorate for Civil Protection and
est organisation for consumers of goods
plaints related to the following acts:
Administration is a sector agency
the authority of the Ministry of Justice
the command of a chief of police, who
Emergency Planning (DSB) has the fol-
and services in Norway. The Consumer
The Sale of Goods Act (for example
under the Ministry of Transport and
and the Police. The National Police
is responsible for all police services. The
lowing mission statement:
Council endeavours to influence policy,
sales between private persons)
Communications. Its main task is to de-
Directorates main task is to ensure
police districts have their own administra-
and aims to educate consumers through
The Act on Consumer Purchase
velop and maintain a safe, environmental-
professional leadership, management
tions and a central operations unit.
information, advice and guidance. In ad-
(for example store purchases)
ly friendly and efficient transport system.
and development of the Norwegian police
dition, the council provides assistance to
The Act relating to tradesmens
individual consumers.
services (for example using a plumber

in your home)
All the services are organised as self-help

services. This means that you, using
the Consumer Councils tools, should be
DSB aims to maintain an overview of risk

and vulnerability in society in general. We
force within the limits laid down by the
The operations unit receives notification
will make active efforts in the work on
The Norwegian Public Roads
ministry. The National Police Directorate
of accidents, emergencies, other danger-
preventing accidents, crises and other
Administration is responsible for the plan-
is responsible for managing, following up
ous situations and about people in need
undesirable incidents. We shall ensure
The Cooling-Off Period Act
ning, construction, operation and main-
and developing the 27 police districts and
of immediate help.
good emergency planning and efficient
(for example purchases made
tenance of the national and county roads
special police agencies, which together
on the internet/by phone)
network and for the supervision of motor
employ a total of 12,000 people. In addi-
Contact information
vehicles and motorists. It drafts regula-
tion, the National Police Directorate plays
Telephone: 02 800
DSB is the national authority for fire safety
able to solve the matter yourself. If your
management of accidents and crises.
case remains unsolved after contact with
In other areas, the Consumer Council can
tions and guidelines for road design, road
a key role in combating international and
Emergency telephone: 112
and administers statutes and regulations
the seller, you can submit it to your local
only offer general advice and guidance.
traffic, driver training and motor vehicles.
organised crime.
Internet: www.politi.no
that regulate fire safety in all existing resi-
Consumer Council, which will handle the

complaint.
In addition, it is responsible for ferry opThe European Consumer Centre in
erations on national and country roads.
Norway can help you if you have pur-
dences in Norway. The executive authorThe responsibilities of the National
ity will be the municipal or inter-municipal
Police Directorate fall into the following
fire service in your municipality.
chased goods or services from a busi-
Contact information
categories:
ness in an EU/EEA country and this
Internet: www.statensvegvesen.no
Coordination of the objectives, plans
Contact information
results in a dispute. Visit www.forbrukere-
Here you will find the address and open-
and tasks of the police districts and
uropa.no for further information.
ing hours of the local Traffic Services
the special police agencies
Internet: www.dsb.no
Offices.
Support and supervisory tasks
Contact information
Emergency preparedness
Telephone: 0 37 37
Processing complaints
Internet: www.forbrukerportalen.no
www.forbrukereuropa.no
123
Public agencies
The Directorate of Labour and Welfare
The Norwegian Directorate for

Children, Youth and Family Affairs
The Labour Inspection Authority
NAV aims to help more people find
At www.nav.no, you will find information
risk being reported to the police. NAV
The Labour Inspection Authority is a
The agency also supervises the educa-
The Norwegian Directorate for Children,
employment or other meaningful activity.
about job vacancies and all NAV benefits
checks the benefit payments and works
government agency under the authority
tional environment for pupils and students
Youth and Family Affairs (Bufetat) is an
NAV also provides financial security to
and services. In addition, you will find ap-
together with other government services
of the Ministry of Labour. It is the respon-
at technical colleges, universities and
administrative agency under the authority
individuals through arrangements such
plication forms, an overview of rates and
to uncover wrongful payments and abuse
sibility of the Labour Inspection Authority
university colleges. The Labour Inspection
of the The Ministry of Children, Equality
as unemployment benefits, family allow-
payment dates, and information about
of the system.
to oversee that enterprises follow the
Authority consists of a central entity, the
and Social Inclusion. Bufetat works on
ances, cash benefits, sickness benefits
what kind of documentation to include
requirements of the Working Environment
Directorate for the Labour Inspection
growth and development issues relating
and pensions.
when applying for NAV benefits.
Contact information
Act. Pursuant to the Immigration Act and
Authority, and seven regions with local
to children, youth and families.
offices throughout the country.
124
125
You can also get information about NAV
NAVs service center: 55 55 33 33
the Act relating to the general applica-
Every municipality in Norway has a NAV
benefits and services from NAVs auto-
Internet: www.nav.no
tion of wage agreements etc., the Labour
office, and the largest cities have NAV
matic helpline on tel. 810 33 810.
Here you will find the address, telephone
Inspection Authority is responsible for
The Directorate is located in Trondheim.
ble for the following services:
offices in each city district. The NAV office
Both www.nav.no and the automatic
number and opening hours of your local
supervision of pay and working condi-
The overriding goal for the Labour
Child welfare services
is a collaboration between the state-run
helpline provide information in English
NAV office.
tions for foreign employees. In addition,
Inspection Authority is to ensure a fully
Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers
Labour and Welfare Service and the
and Polish.
the Labour Inspection Authority has tasks
adequate working environment, safe
Family counselling services
municipalitys social services.
Among other things, Bufetat is responsi-
relating to other acts, the most important
employment conditions and meaningful
Parental guidance
When you are applying for benefits from
being the Act relating to holidays and
work for all employees.
Womens shelters and incest
The Directorate of Labour and Welfare
NAV, it is important that the informa-
parts of the Act relating to prevention
is under the authority of the Ministry of
tion you provide is accurate. Incomplete
of the harmful effects of tobacco.
Labour. The directorate works on all of

NAVs policy areas, and runs nationwide
support functions for NAV.
crisis centres
Contact information
Adoption
or inaccurate information may result in
Youth information services
you losing your entitlement to benefits,
E-mail: svartjenesten@arbeidstilsynet.no
or NAV can demand that you pay back
Internet: www.arbeidstilsynet.no
the money you have received. You also
Contact information
Internet: www.bufetat.no
Here you will find the address, telephone
number and opening hours of your local
office.
Public agencies
The Norwegian Directorate for

Education and Training
126
The Directorate for

Nature Management
The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity
The Directorate for Education and
The Norwegian Directorate for Education
The Directorate for Nature Management
The Directorate of Integration and
IMDi also has several financial instru-
Training is under the authority of the
and Training is also responsible for a
is one of five environmental agencies
Diversity (IMDi) is a centre of expertise
ments at its disposal, such as grants to
Ministry of Education and Research. The
number of tasks relating to kindergartens,
under the authority of the Ministry of the
and a driving force for integration and
municipalities and to voluntary organisa-
directorate is responsible for primary and
including documentation and analysis of
Environment. The directorate is respon-
diversity in Norway. The Directorate co-
tions working to promote diversity and
secondary education in Norway. The
their condition, quality and competence
sible for nature management in Norway.
operates with municipalities, government
integration. IMDi has branch offices in
directorate is responsible for ensuring that
development, the administration of grants
The Directorate for Nature Management
agencies, immigrant organisations and
Narvik, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristiansand,
all children and young people receive the
and regulations, supervisory tasks and
is an advisory and executive body for the
groups and the private sector.
Gjvik and Oslo.
high-quality education they are entitled
guidance.
conservation of biological diversity, establishing and managing conservation areas,
The Directorate is under the authority
Contact information
to. The main tasks of the Norwegian
127
Directorate for Education and Training are
Contact information
outdoor pursuits and the sustainable use
of the Ministry of Children, Equality and
to promote quality improvement, quality
of natural resources.
Social Inclusion and it is charged with
E-mail: post@imdi.no
assessment, analysis and documentation
Internet: www.udir.no
implementing integration and diver-
Internet: www.imdi.no
in basic education and training, to attend
The directorate works to protect biologi-
sity policies in the ministrys areas of
to administrative tasks in relation to the
cal diversity, to ensure long-term planning
responsibility.
education sector, and to be in charge of
and protect land areas, lakes and other
the national supervision of primary and
natural resources.
secondary education.
IMDis most important tasks are:

To settle refugees
Contact information
To contribute to qualifying immigrants
for work and education
Internet: www.dirnat.no
To follow up the Introduction Act

To contribute to a dialogue between
the majority population and minorities
To prevent and combat forced
marriages
To contribute to developing knowledge
in the field of integration
Here you can use a computer

www.nav.no pregnancy benefit,
parental benefit, lump-sum maternity
benefit, child benefit, cash benefit
www.samordnaopptak.no
higher education
www.lanekassen.no/statsborgerskap
- the Norwegian State Educational Loan
Fund
Public library (free of charge)
NAV Local Services (free of charge)
Internet Cafe
www.krisesenter.com womens
shelters
Useful links
128
Here you will find an overview of useful links relating to the different chapters.
You will also be shown what topics you will find information about on these websites.
Moving to Norway
www.udi.no residence permit,
permanent residence, right of residence,
permanent right of residence, family
immigration
www.taxnorway.no population
registration, D-number, personal identity
number, the tax system, tax deduction
card, tax return, tax settlement,
obligation to pay taxes in Norway
www.toll.no personal belongings on
arrival, using a foreign-registered car,
first time registration of motor vehicles
www.forbrukerportalen.no leases,
rules apply consumer tips
www.husbanken.no basic loan
www.altinn.no housing allowance
www.bufetat.no child welfare services,

family counselling services, mediation
Work
www.arbeidstilsynet.no employment
contract, working hours, pay, ID cards
in the building industry, holidays, holiday
pay, temporary lay-offs, dismissal,
dismissal without notice, HSE, accident
at work
www.byggekort.no ID cards in the
building industry
www.nav.no self-certified sick leave,
medical certificate, sickness benefit,
occupational injuries, impaired ability to
work, disability benefit, work assessment
allowance, job seeking, unemployment
benefit, retirement pension
www.lo.no trade unions and
trade union federation
www.akademikerne.no trade unions

and trade union federation
www.ys.no trade unions and
www.unio.no trade unions and
www.invia.no information centre
that provides information about the
Norwegian authorisation and recognition
schemes
www.nokut.no recognition of higher
education
www.spor-oss.no starting your
own business
www.norskkrisesenterforbund.no
womens shelters
www.vilbli.no upper secondary
education
Health
www.nav.no self-certified sick leave,
medical certificate, sickness benefit
www.helfo.no primary doctor, health
services, European health insurance card
www.helsenorge.no guide to the
public health services and self-service
possibilities
www.inatur.no/fiskeavgift
fishing licence fee
www.wideroe.no information
about flights, ticket prices and booking
www.dirnat.no hunting, hunting

seasons
www.telepriser.no overview
of telephone/internet providers
and consumer information

www.vegvesen.no first-time
registration of motor vehicles,
registration when purchasing a used
vehicle, periodic roadworth tests
www.norge.no overview of public
services in Norway
www.minside.no public service
office online
www.177.no travel information
www.trafikanten.no information
about trains/the underground/buses
in the counties of Akershus, Buskerud,
Hedmark, Oppland, Oslo, Vestfold,
Telemark and stfold
www.brebandsporten.no information
about broadband (internet)
www.nettvett.no advice and guide
to safe use of the internet
www.posten.no postal services,
opening hours for post offices, tracing
of parcels and letters
www.finansportalen.no homeowners insurance, car insurance,
personal insurance, home contents
insurance, bank accounts, bank loans
Useful information
www.konfliktraadet.no the Mediation
and Reconciliation Service
www.nsb.no train traffic

information, timetables, tickets
www.forliksradet.no the Conciliation

Board
www.nor-way.no buss traffic

www.fri-rettshjelp.no free legal aid
www.timekspressen.no buss traffic

www.frivillighetnorge.no
voluntary groups and organisations
www.norwegian.no information
about flights, ticket prices and booking
www.kulturskolen.no
music and culture schools
www.sas.no information about

flights, ticket prices and booking
129
Definition of terms
Moving to Norway
EU countries EU member states:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
the UK, Sweden, the Czech Republic,
Germany, Hungary and Austria.
EEA countries all the EU member states
plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland
130
EFTA countries - Norway, Liechtenstein,

Iceland, Switzerland
Third countries countries outside the
EU/EEA/EFTA area
Residence permit grants permission
to reside in Norway for more than three
months. For EU/EEA/EFTA nationals, this
permit also grants permission to work.
Nationals of other countries get usually work permit together with residence
permit.
Permanent residence permit grants
permission to settle permanently in
Norway. Not all types of residence permits
form the basis for a permanent residence
permit.
D-number an identification number for

all foreign nationals who live in Norway up
to six moths.
Personal identity number is given to
persons who are born in Norway or who
are registered as settled here.
Deposit - a deposit is an amount that the
tenant pays as security for rent owed.
Work
Employment contract describes employees and employers rights and duties.
It shall always contain information about:
who has entered into the contract, the
workplace, a description of the work or position, the date on which the employment
commences, the expected duration of the
employment, if it is temporary, the right to
holidays and holiday pay, the probationary period if this has been agreed, period
of notice, pay, length and specification of
working hours, breaks and any collective
agreements regulating the employment
relationship.
Collective agreement an agreement
between an employers federation and an
employees organisation (union) concerning pay and working conditions. The pay
and working conditions are usually better
in workplaces that are bound by collective
agreements than in most companies that
are not.
The size of your salary and other benefits

depends on the terms agreed in the collective agreements. The level may vary from
one industry to another.
Tax deduction card shows how much

tax your employer should deduct from your
pay. All workers in Norway must have
a deduction card.
The Norwegian State Educational
Social dumping a situation in the

workplace where foreign employees who
carry out work in Norway have substantially
poorer pay and working conditions than
Norwegian employees. It is also social
dumping if foreign workers have significantly poorer working conditions in other
respects, for example the form of disadvantageous working hours, a lack of safety
training, inadequate attention in their safety
in the workplace ect.
Tax return provides the tax authorities

with complete information about your income, wealth and deductions, so that the
correct amount of tax can be calculated.
Everyone who has taxable income or
wealth must complete a tax return.
Health
Temporary lay-offs a temporary

arrangement whereby the employee is
exempt from the obligation to work and
the employer is exempt from the obligation
to pay wages. A full lay-off means that the
employee is completely exempt from his/
her duty to work. A partial lay-off means
that the employee works part of his/her
hours and is otherwise temporarily laid-off.
HSE short for health, safety and the environment. HSE is a generic term for all types
of work that concerns health, safety and
the environment in a workplace. The term
is often used about efforts that are made
to improve the working environment, but it
also includes fire regulations and the reduction of harm to the natural environment.
Tax settlement contains information

about the income on which the tax assessment is based, how much tax your
employer has deducted and whether you
have paid too much or too little tax. You will
receive a tax settlement notice when your
tax return has been processed by the tax
authorities.
NOKUT the Norwegian Agency for
Quality Assurance in Education. NOKUT
provides general recognition (level and
scope) of higher education from other
countries.
Unemployment benefit benefit from
the National Insurance scheme in connection with unemployment.
SFO or AKS before and after-school
programme. Care and recreational activities for primary school pupils from the first
to the fourth grade who need a place to go
before and/or after school.
Loan Fund (Lnekassen) a government agency that provides financial

support to students.
The Norwegian National Insurance

scheme (Folketrygden) the public
social security system in Norway. As a rule
all persons resident in Norway are members of the Norwegian Insurance Scheme.
If you take up legal employment in Norway,
you automatically become a member of
the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme
from you first working day.
Primary doctor scheme everyone
registered as resident in a Norwegian
municipality is entitled to attend a primary
doctor. This is called the primary doctor
scheme.
Patient charges a fixed part of the cost
of public health services.
Exemption card if you have paid a
certain amount in patient charges in the
course of a year, you may be eligible for an
exemption card. This means that you are
exempt from paying patient charges for the
rest of the calendar year.
European health insurance card
entitles you to health services when staying
temporarily in another EEA country or in
Switzerland. To be entitled to a European
health insurance card, the primary

condition is that you are a member of the
Norwegian National Insurance scheme,
and that you are a Norwegian national
or a national of another EEA country
or Switzerland.
Debt settlement arrangement the
purpose of a debt settlement arrangement is to give people with serious debt
problems an opportunity to regain control
of their finances. For example, a debt
settlement can mean that the debtor is
given an extension on the repayment of
the entire amount or part of the amount,
that the creditor waives interest or charges
(in whole or in part), or that the debt is
cancelled in whole or in part.
131
Housing........................................... 20
Finding a home............................................. 20
Renting a home............................................. 21
Owning a home............................................ 23
Waste and recycling collection............ 25
Fire safety in the home............................. 25
Interpreters.................................... 28
Norwegian language courses.......... 29
Tax.................................................. 42
Tax system....................................................... 42
Tax deduction card...................................... 42
Pay slips............................................................ 43
Tax return......................................................... 43
Tax settlement............................................... 44
Obligation to pay taxes in Norway..... 44
Trade unions................................... 44
Trade unions and trade union
federations...................................................... 44
Recognition of higher education .... 46
Who needs authorisation
or recognition?.............................................. 46
General recognition.................................... 47
Unemployment............................... 47
Unemployment benefit............................ 47
Job seeking..................................................... 48
The rights of EEA citizens
moving between countries..................... 48
Old-age pension............................. 49
Entrepreneurship............................ 49
The day care centre/school system...54

Good advice for parents.......................... 55
The school system .......................... 56
Primary and lower secondary
schools.............................................................. 56
programme (SFO)......................................... 56
Parent-teacher cooperation................... 57
Upper secondary school.......................... 57
School transport........................................... 58
Special language tuition.......................... 58
Higher education......................................... 58
Loan Fund........................................................ 59
Health............................................. 62
Health services............................... 64
Membership of the Norwegian
National Insurance Scheme................... 64
About healthe services............................. 64
Patient charges/exemption cards........ 65
Prenatal care.................................................. 66
Primary doctor............................................... 66
How do doctors
appointments take place?....................... 67
Primary doctor, accident and
emergency department,
or call 113?..................................................... 68
department..................................................... 68
Hospitals.......................................................... 68
Medicine/pharmacies................................ 68
Preventive health services...................... 68
Physiotherapy................................................ 69
Dental services............................................. 69
European health
insurance card............................................... 69
of confidentiality......................................... 70
Illness............................................. 71
Self-certified sickness absence............ 71
Sick leave......................................................... 71
Sickness benefit........................................... 71
Assistance for children

and families ................................... 60
Family counselling services................... 60
Children welfare service.......................... 60
Mediation......................................................... 61
Womens shelters........................................ 61
Recreational activities.................... 72
Voluntary groups
and organisations........................... 74
How to join a group/an organisation
in your municipality................................... 75
Local recreational activities............ 76
Library............................................ 77
Public rights of access..................... 77
Fishing............................................ 78
Common sense at sea............................... 79
Good advice to boat drivers.................. 79
Hunting........................................... 80
The Norwegian Mountain Code............ 81
Transport and services ................... 82

Motor vehicles .......................................84
Using a foreign driving licence............. 84
Using a car registered abroad............... 84
Car insurance................................................. 85
Car loan............................................................. 85
First-time registration of
a used, imported vehicle......................... 86
Re-registration when purchasing
a used vehicle in Norway........................ 89
Annual Motor Vehicle Tax........................ 90
Periodic roadworthiness test................. 90
Important dates for motor
vehicle owners.............................................. 91
Traffic rules...................................................... 92
Parking.............................................................. 93
Toll roads.......................................................... 93
Violation of rules and regulations...... 95
Public transport ............................. 96
Local transport.......................................96
Long-distance travel.................................. 97
Bank services ................................. 98
Accounts........................................................... 98
Bank card......................................................... 98
Payment services......................................... 99
How do I open
a bank account?.................................. 100
Transferring money
to another country................................... 101
Bank loans.................................................... 101
Mortgages..................................................... 101
Car loans....................................................... 102
Debt................................................................. 102
Insurance...................................... 104
General insurance.................................... 104
Car insurance.............................................. 104
Home-owner`s insurance.................... 105
Personal insurance................................... 105
Home contents insurance.................... 106
Travel insurance........................................ 106
Finansportalen........................................... 106
Telecommunication...................... 107
Buying a mobile phone......................... 107
Telefon-/internet subscription.......... 107
TV licence fee............................................. 108
Postal services............................................ 108
Public services online............................ 109
Useful information
Health
Working environment .................... 39

Health, safety and
the environment (HSE).............................. 39
Personal insurance...................................... 40
Accidents at work........................................ 40
Occupational injury.................................... 40
Impaired work ability................................. 41
Work assessment allowance.................. 41
Disability pension....................................... 41
Children and schools...................... 50

Children.......................................... 52
Pregnancy benefit....................................... 52
Parental benefit............................................ 52
Lump sum maternity and
adoption grants............................................ 52
Family allowance......................................... 53
Cash-for-care benefit................................. 53
Pre-school day care centres................... 53
Registration on arrival.................... 18
Registration in the
population register................................18
Personal belongings..............................20
Work............................................... 30
Employment................................... 32
Employment contract................................ 32
Working hours............................................... 32
Pay....................................................................... 33
ID cards in the building industry......... 33
ID cards in the cleaning industry......... 34
Holidays and holiday pay........................ 34
Leave.................................................................. 35
Self-certified sickness............................... 36
Sick leave......................................................... 36
Temporary lay-offs...................................... 37
Dismissal.......................................................... 38
132
Moving to Norway..............................6
Permits .............................................8
Differences between eea
nationals and nationals of the
other countries................................................ 8
Residence permit pursuant
to the general regulations.......................... 8
Permanent residence
permit................................................................... 9
pursuant to the general
regulations......................................................... 9
to the eea regulations............................... 11
Permanent right of residence................ 12
pursuant to the eea regulations.......... 13
Residence cards........................................... 13
Checklist for foreign workers
in norway......................................................... 14
Things to remember after you
move to Norway........................................... 16
Work
Moving to Norway
Thematical index
Useful information....................... 110
Facts about Norway ...................... 112
Norwegian history.................................... 114
Work culture................................................ 115
Religious and belief-based
communities............................................... 115
The law and crime......................... 116
The police and crime.............................. 116
Alcohol and drugs.................................... 116
The Mediation and
Reconciliation Service............................ 116
The Conciliation Board........................... 117
The courts..................................................... 118
Free legal aid............................................... 118
Useful telephone numbers........... 119
Public agencies............................. 120
The Norwegian Directorate of
Immigration................................................. 120
The Norwegian Tax Administration.... 121
The Norwegian Custom Service.........121
The Norwegian State
Housing Bank...............................................121
The Consumer Council
of Norway..................................................... 122
The Norwegian Public
Road Administration............................... 122
The National Police Directorate........ 123
The Directorate for
Civil Protection and
Emergency Planning............................... 123
The Directorate of Labour
and Welfare................................................. 124
The Labour Inspection Authority...... 125
The Norwegian Directorate
for Children, Youth and
Family Affairs ............................................. 125
for Education and Training................... 126
The Directorate
for Nature Management........................ 126
of Integration and Diversity................ 127
Useful links................................... 128
Definition of terms....................... 130
133
Important deadlines and dates

January
Alphabetical index
E
Emergency telephone numbers........ 119
Employment................................................... 32
Employment contract................................ 32
Entrepreneurship ....................................... 49
European health insurance card.......... 69
Illness ............................................................... 71
Impaired work ability................................. 41
Important dates for motor
vehicle owners.............................................. 91
Insurance ..................................................... 104
Interpreters ................................................... 28
A
department..................................................... 68
Accidents at work........................................ 40
Accounts........................................................... 98
Alcohol and drugs.................................... 116
Annual Motor Vehicle Tax........................ 90
Assistance for children
and families.................................................... 60
F
Facts about Norway ............................... 112
Family counselling services................... 60
pursuant to the EEA regulations.......... 13
pursuant to the
general regulations........................................ 9
Finding a home............................................. 20
Finansportalen........................................... 106
Fire safety in the home............................. 25
First-time registration of a used,
imported vehicle.......................................... 86
Fishing............................................................... 78
Free legal aid............................................... 118
B
Bank card......................................................... 98
Bank loans.................................................... 101
Bank services ............................................... 98
programme .................................................... 56
Buying a mobile phone......................... 107
C
Car insurance.............................................. 104
Car loan.......................................................... 102
Cash-for-care benefit................................. 53
Checklist for foreign workers
in Norway......................................................... 14
Child benefit.................................................. 53
Children .......................................................... 52
Childre welfare service............................. 60
Common sense at sea............................... 79
Courts............................................................. 118
D
Day care centre/school system............ 54
Debt................................................................. 102
Definition of terms................................... 130
Dental services............................................. 69
Differences between EEA nationals
and nationals of the other countries.... 8
Disability pension....................................... 41
Dismissal.......................................................... 38
G
General insurance.................................... 104
General recognition.................................... 47
Good advice for parents.......................... 55
Good advise to boatdrivers.................... 79
H
of confidentiality......................................... 70
Health services............................................. 64
Health, safety and the
environment (HSE)...................................... 39
Higher education......................................... 58
Holidays and holiday pay........................ 34
Home contents insurance.................... 106
Home-owners insurance...................... 105
Hospitals.......................................................... 68
Housing............................................................. 20
Hunting............................................................. 80
I
ID cards in the building industry......... 33
ID cards in the cleaning industry......... 34
07.06
Dissolution of union with Sweden
New rate for annual motor vehicle tax
23.06
Midsummer
21.01
H.R.H. Princess Ingrid Alexandras birthday
30.06
31.01
TV licence 1 st instalment
Deadline for scrapping in order to have half

the annual motor vehicle tax reimbursed
School year
ends
February
Aa
......................... Write down dates for your community
01.02
Application deadline for upper secondary school

special admission
J
Job seeking..................................................... 48
06.02
Sami National Day
01.07
Half of annual motor vehicle tax
10.02
Mothers day
04.07
HM Queen Sonjas birthday
L
Law and crime . ......................................... 116
Leave.................................................................. 35
Library................................................................ 77
Local recreational activities................... 76
Local transport.............................................. 96
Long-distance travel.................................. 97
Lump sum maternity and
adoption grants............................................ 52
21.02
H.M. King Harald Vs birthday
08. 26.07
Public holidays
........................... Write down dates for your community
20.07
HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus birthday
29.07
St. Olavs Day
31.07
TV licence 2nd instalment
M
Mediation......................................................... 61
Medicine/pharmacies................................ 68
Membership of the Norwegian
National Insurance Scheme................... 64
Mortgages..................................................... 101
Motor vehicles ............................................. 84
Winter vacation
Aa
March
01.03
Application deadline for upper secondary school

regular admission
Aa
Aa
July
August
Application deadline - higher education

for applicants with foreign education
15.08
Dealine for fixing tax control stickers to your

number plates
20.03
Annual motor vehicle tax due date,

deadline for scrapping
26.08
HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marits birthday
24.03
Palm Sunday
School year
starts
28.03
Maundy Thursday
29.03
Good Friday
September
31.03
Easter Sunday
09.09
Aa
General election day
Summer time begins
N
Norwegian language courses................ 29
Norwegian history.................................... 114
October
April
O
Obligation to pay taxes in Norway..... 44
Occupational injury.................................... 40
Old-age pension ......................................... 49
Owning a home............................................ 23
P
Parent-teacher cooperation................... 57
Parental benefit............................................ 52
Parking.............................................................. 93
Patient charges/exemption cards........ 65
Pay....................................................................... 33
Pay slips............................................................ 43
Payment services......................................... 99
01.04
Easter Monday
08.04
Change to summer tyres (except Northern Norway)
15.04
Application deadline - higher education,

regular admission
01.05
May Day
Change to summer tyres in Northern Norway
Aa
16.10
Use of studded tyres is permitted

in Northern Norway
27.10
Summer time ends
Autumn
vacation
November
May
Riv ut
134
How do doctors
appointments take place?....................... 67
How do I open
a bank account?........................................ 100
How to join a group/an
organisation in your municipality....... 75
June
New Years Day
01.01
08.05
Liberation Day 1945
09.05
Ascension Day
17.05
Constitution Day
19.05
Whit Sunday
20.05
Whit Monday
01.11
Use of studded tyres is permitted in the

rest of country
10.11
Fathers day
December
24.12
Christmas Eve
25.12
Christmas Day
26.12
Boxing Day
31.12
New Years Eve

Deadline for handling in number plates to avoid
the annual motor vehicle tax
Aa
Telephone list
Poisons centre
Bank/credit cards loss/theft reporting
Travel information
NSB train information centre
Tax Administration
Tax Administration (from abroad)
Labour Inspection Authority
Custom Service information centre
136
Police (contact local police)

Consumer Council of Norway
225 91 300
0 89 89
177
815 00 888
800 800 00
+ 47 22 07 70 00
815 48 222
0 30 12
02 800
0 37 37
fire
police
Periodic roadworthiness test................. 90

Permanent residence permit.................... 9
Permanent right of residence................ 12
Permits ................................................................ 8
Personal belongings................................... 20
Personal insurance................................... 105
Physiotherapy................................................ 69
Police and crime........................................ 116
Postal services............................................ 108
Pre-school day care centres................... 53
Pregnancy benefit....................................... 52
Prenatal care.................................................. 66
Preventive health services...................... 68
Primary and lower
secondary schools...................................... 56
Primary doctor............................................... 66
Primary doctor, accident
and emergency department,
or call 113?..................................................... 68
Public agencies.......................................... 120
Public rights of access............................... 77
Public services online............................ 109
Public transport .......................................... 97
R
Re-registration when purchasing
used vehicle in Norway............................ 89
Recognition of higher education......... 46
Registration in the population
register.............................................................. 18
Registration on arrival ............................. 18
Religious and beliefbased communities................................. 115
Renting a home............................................. 21
Residence permit pursuant
to the general regulations.......................... 8
to the EEA regulations............................... 11
Rights of EEA citizens moving
between countries...................................... 48
AMBULANcE
110 112 113
S
School system . ............................................ 56
School transport........................................... 58
Self-certified sickness absence............ 71
Sick leave......................................................... 71
Special language tuition.......................... 58
T
Tax ...................................................................... 42
Tax deduction card...................................... 42
Tax return......................................................... 43
Tax settlement............................................... 44
Tax system....................................................... 42
Telecommunication . .............................. 107
Telephone-/internet subscription.... 107
Temporary lay-offs...................................... 37
The Conciliation Board........................... 117
The Consumer Council of Norway.... 122
The Directorate for Civil Protection
and Emergency Planning...................... 123
The Directorate for
Nature Management............................... 126
The Directorate of Labour
and Welfare................................................. 124
The Labour Inspection Authority...... 125
The Mediation
and Reconciliation Service.................. 116
The National Police Directorate........ 123
The Norwegian Custom Service........ 121
for Children, Youth and
Family Affairs ............................................. 125
for Education and Training................... 126
of Immigration............................................ 120
of Integration and Diversity................ 127
The Norwegian Mountain Code............ 81
The Norwegian Public Road
Administration............................................ 122
Loan Fund........................................................ 59
The Norwegian State
Housing Bank.............................................. 121
The Norwegian
Tax Administration................................... 121
Things to remember after you
move to Norway........................................... 16
Toll roads.......................................................... 93
Trade unions ................................................. 44
Trade union federations........................... 44
Traffic rules...................................................... 92
Transferring money
to another country................................... 101
Travel insurance........................................ 106

TV licence fee............................................. 108
U
Unemployment ........................................... 47
Unemployment benefit............................ 47
Upper secondary school.......................... 57
Useful links.................................................. 128
Useful telephone numbers.................. 119
Using a car registered abroad............... 84
Using a foreign driving licence............. 84
V
Violation of rules and regulations...... 95
Voluntary groups
and organisations........................................ 74
W
Waste and recycling collection............ 25
Who needs authorisation
or recognition?.............................................. 46
Womens shelters........................................ 61
Work assessment allowance.................. 41
Work culture................................................ 115
Working environment................................ 39
Working hours............................................... 32
137
This brochure is
free of charge
Resale is forbidden!
New in norway
Have you recently arrived in Norway? Do you have foreign employees?

Do you have colleagues, friends or others you wish to inform about life in Norway?
New in Norway contains practical information from public authorities that you may find useful.
Where do I register when I come to Norway?
How long can I drive a foreign-registered car in Norway?
Where do I get tuition in the Norwegian language, and how much does it cost?
What should my employment contract include?
When are children entitled and obliged to go to school?
What is the primary doctor scheme?
What do I do if I get ill?
New in Norway answers these and many other questions.
New in Norway was prepared by:
ISBN 978-82-8246-115-3
www.nyinorge.no
788282 461153

New in Norway - 2013

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

New in Norway - 2013

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2013

new edition 2013

Welcome to New in Norway

If you have recently arrived in Norway, you

Do you have any questions about

This booklet contains the information

The booklet is divided into seven

residence, work, school, health or

you need to answer these questions.

chapters, which makes it easier for you

recreational activities in Norway?

to find the information you need.

New in Norway is divided into the following seven chapters:

Most chapters are accompanied by

Wherever possible, you will also find

We hope that you find all the information

internet links that provide further

telephone numbers that you can call for

you need. Good luck!

information about the topic you are

more information, or to receive answers

The information in New in Norway is up-to-date as of 15 November

If you have any comments or suggestions for changes that should be

For important deadlines,

This section contains information

This section contains information

Transport and services

What kind of financial benefits am

This section contains information

What should my employment

Children and schools

Do I need a residence permit

This section contains information

This section contains information

This section contains facts about

Waste and recycling

This section contains information about permits, registration

Different conditions and application

A residence permit pursuant to the gene-

Renewal of residence permits

When you have lived in Norway continu-

It is not a requirement that you have had

If you have close family members who live

procedures for resident permits and

ral regulations entitles the holder to live

Most of residence permits are renewable.

ously for three years, you can be granted

residence on the same grounds for the

abroad, they can apply to come and live

family immigration apply to EU/EEA/EFT

and work in Norway. All foreign nationals

Renewal applications must be submitted

a permanent residence permit. A perma-

whole three-year period, but all the per-

with you during your stay in Norway. This

A nationals, so-called EEA nationals, and

can apply for a residence permit pursuant

to the police at least one month before

nent residence permit entitles you to stay

mits you have held must be of a type that

is called family immigration. As a rule,

nationals of other countries, so-called

your current permit expires. Contact